To put text next to an image in Word, click the picture, then click the Layout Options button that appears beside it and choose Square or Tight under With Text Wrapping. The text flows around the picture, and you can drag the image to the left or right side of the paragraph. You can also use Picture Format > Wrap Text. For precise side-by-side layouts, such as a photo with a caption block beside it, a two-column table without borders works well.
This guide explains each wrapping option, how to position and anchor the image so it stays put, how to control the gap between the image and text, and how to fix pictures that jump around. Steps are for Word for Microsoft 365, 2024, 2021, 2019, and 2016, with notes for Mac and the web.
Method 1: Use Layout Options
- Insert your picture with Insert > Pictures, or click an existing one.
- Click the Layout Options icon (a small square) at the picture’s top-right corner.
- Under With Text Wrapping, choose Square (text wraps in a rectangle around the image) or Tight (text follows the image’s shape more closely).
- Drag the picture to the side where you want it. Text moves to fill the space.
Method 2: Use Wrap Text on the ribbon
- Click the picture to show the Picture Format tab.
- Click Wrap Text and choose Square, Tight, or Through.
- Click Position to snap the image to a preset spot, like the top left or middle right of the page, with text wrapping around it.
Text wrapping options explained
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| In Line with Text | The default. The picture acts like a large character in a line, so text doesn’t wrap beside it |
| Square | Text wraps around a rectangular boundary |
| Tight | Text wraps closely around the picture’s outline (best with transparent backgrounds) |
| Through | Like Tight, but text can fill open areas inside the shape |
| Top and Bottom | Text appears above and below, not beside |
| Behind Text / In Front of Text | The picture layers under or over text without wrapping |
Keep the picture in place
- Move with text (in Layout Options) keeps the picture with its paragraph as you edit above it.
- Fix position on page keeps it in the same spot on the page no matter how text changes.
- Click See more in Layout Options (or Wrap Text > More Layout Options) to set an exact horizontal and vertical position and to check Lock anchor.
- Turn on Show/Hide ¶ (Ctrl + Shift + 8) to see the anchor icon showing which paragraph the image is attached to. Drag the anchor to attach it to a different paragraph.
Adjust the space between image and text
- Click the picture, then Wrap Text > More Layout Options.
- On the Text Wrapping tab, set Distance from text for top, bottom, left, and right (for example, 0.1″).
- Under Wrap text, choose Both sides, Left only, Right only, or Largest only.
Method 3: Use a table for side-by-side layouts
- Click Insert > Table and choose a 2×1 table.
- Put the image in one cell and the text in the other.
- Select the table, click Table Design > Borders > No Border.
Tables keep image and text aligned perfectly, which is handy for resumes, product sheets, and newsletters.
Add a caption beside or below the image
Right-click the picture and choose Insert Caption. If the image uses text wrapping, Word places the caption in a text box that you can group with the picture (select both with Shift, right-click, and choose Group) so they move together.
If images slow Word down, read how to show picture placeholders.
Troubleshooting
- Text won’t wrap – the picture is set to In Line with Text. Change it to Square or Tight.
- The picture jumps when you edit – choose Fix position on page, or lock the anchor.
- Only one line appears beside the image – check that the paragraph isn’t set to wrap Top and Bottom, and that there’s enough width beside the picture.
- Image covers text – it’s set to In Front of Text. Switch to Square.
Word for Mac and Word for the web
- Mac – select the picture, then use Picture Format > Wrap Text. Layout options work the same way.
- Web – select the picture, open the Picture tab, and choose Wrap Text. Advanced positioning is limited.
Frequently asked questions
How do I put text on top of an image?
Set the picture to Behind Text, or insert a text box over it.
Can I set a default wrapping style for all new pictures?
Yes. Go to File > Options > Advanced > Cut, copy, and paste and set Insert/paste pictures as to Square.
How do I center an image with text on both sides?
Use Square wrapping, set Wrap text to Both sides, and position the image in the middle of the column.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.