How to Overlay Images in Word

Overlaying images in Word, such as placing a logo on a photo, layering a frame over a picture, or stacking pictures for a collage, requires changing the pictures’ text wrapping. By default, Word inserts pictures In Line with Text, which keeps them from overlapping. Switch to In Front of Text or Behind Text, and you can drag pictures on top of each other and control which is in front. This guide covers overlaying, layer order, transparency, grouping and a few common problems.

Quick Answer

Select each picture and choose Picture Format > Wrap Text > In Front of Text. Drag one picture on top of the other, then use Bring Forward or Send Backward to set which one is on top. Shift-click both and choose Group to keep them together.

Step 1: Insert the Pictures

Go to Insert > Pictures and add both images (for example, a background photo and a smaller logo or photo).

Step 2: Change Text Wrapping

1. Click the first picture.
2. Click the Layout Options icon next to it, or go to Picture Format > Wrap Text.
3. Choose In Front of Text (or Behind Text for the background image).
4. Repeat for the second picture.

Step 3: Position and Layer the Pictures

1. Drag the top picture over the bottom one.
2. With a picture selected, use Picture Format > Bring Forward or Send Backward (the arrows offer Bring to Front and Send to Back).
3. Use the arrow keys to nudge a picture; hold Ctrl for fine steps.

The Selection Pane (Home > Select > Selection Pane) lists every picture; drag them in the list to reorder layers and click the eye icon to hide one temporarily.

Step 4: Group the Pictures

1. Click the first picture, hold Shift, and click the second.
2. Choose Picture Format > Group > Group (or right-click > Group > Group).

Grouped pictures move and resize together. Ungroup them anytime to edit individually.

Make the Top Picture Transparent

• Whole picture: select it and choose Picture Format > Transparency (Microsoft 365) and pick a preset or Picture Transparency Options.
• Remove a background color: Picture Format > Color > Set Transparent Color, then click the color to remove (works best on solid backgrounds).
• Remove a background: Picture Format > Remove Background to cut out the subject.

PNG images with transparent backgrounds (like logos) overlay cleanly without extra steps.

Add Text on Top of Pictures

Insert a text box (Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box), set Shape Fill to No Fill and Shape Outline to No Outline, and place it over the pictures. Include it in the group.

To fade the top image, read how to change opacity in Word.

Troubleshooting

• Pictures jump around when typing: check Fix Position on Page in the Wrap Text menu, or anchor them to a paragraph that won’t move.
• Can’t select the bottom picture: use the Selection Pane, or temporarily send the top picture backward.
• Group is grayed out: one picture is still In Line with Text; change its wrapping.
• Pictures move to another page: they’re anchored to text that moved; drag the anchor icon or use a table cell as a container.

Word for Mac

The same tools are on the Picture Format tab: Wrap Text, Bring Forward, Send Backward and Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I merge overlaid pictures into one image?

Group them, right-click and choose Save as Picture to export the combined image.

Does this work in Word for the web?

Word for the web has limited support for layering floating images; use the desktop app for full control.

How do I overlay pictures in Google Docs?

Use Insert > Drawing and layer images inside the drawing, or set image options to In front of text.

Summary

1. Set Wrap Text to In Front of Text for each picture.
2. Drag one over the other.
3. Use Bring Forward and Send Backward to set the order.
4. Group the pictures to keep them together.