Adding a picture to a Google Doc makes reports, flyers, recipes, and school projects much clearer. Google Docs can insert images from your computer, Google Drive, Google Photos, a web search, a web address, or your camera, and you can also drag and drop or paste. This guide covers every way to upload a picture, how to position and resize it, and how to add images from your phone.
Quick Answer
Click where you want the picture, then go to Insert > Image > Upload from computer, choose the file, and click Open. Or simply drag an image file from your desktop into the document.
Upload a Picture From Your Computer
- Open your document and click where you want the image.
- Click Insert > Image > Upload from computer.
- Select the picture (JPG, PNG, GIF, BMP, and similar formats) and click Open.
You can also click the Insert image icon on the toolbar, drag an image from File Explorer or Finder straight into the page, or copy an image and press Ctrl + V (Command + V on Mac).
Images must be under 50 MB and 25 megapixels. PNG, JPEG, and GIF files work best.
Other Image Sources
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Search the web | Searches images in a side panel. Check that you have permission to use an image before publishing. |
| Drive | Inserts an image stored in your Google Drive. |
| Photos | Inserts from your Google Photos library. |
| By URL | Paste a direct image link (ending in .jpg, .png, and so on). |
| Camera | Takes a photo with your webcam. |
Position and Resize the Picture
- Resize: Click the image and drag a corner handle. Corners keep the proportions.
- Text wrapping: With the image selected, choose an option in the small toolbar below it: In line (moves with text), Wrap text, Break text, Behind text, or In front of text. Wrap text lets you drag the image anywhere.
- Exact size and position: Right-click the image and choose Image options to set the size, rotation, position, and margins.
- Crop: Double-click the image and drag the black crop handles, then press Enter.
- Replace: Right-click the image and choose Replace image to swap it while keeping the size and position.
Add Alt Text
Right-click the image and choose Alt text to describe it for screen reader users. This helps accessibility, especially in documents you share widely.
Add a Picture on iPhone, iPad, or Android
- Open the document in the Google Docs app and tap the pencil to edit.
- Tap where you want the picture.
- Tap the + (Insert) button at the top.
- Tap Image, then choose From photos or From camera.
- Pick or take the photo; it’s inserted at the cursor.
What About Videos?
Google Docs doesn’t play videos inside a document. Instead, insert a link to the video (for example, a YouTube or Drive link), or insert a thumbnail image and link it to the video. Google Slides does support embedded videos.
Troubleshooting
- “Image couldn’t be uploaded”: The file may be too large, in an unsupported format (like HEIC from some phones), or corrupted. Convert it to JPG or PNG and try again.
- Image moves when you type: It’s set to In line. Choose Wrap text or Fix position on page in Image options.
- Insert menu is grayed out: You have view-only access. Ask the owner for edit access.
Summary
- Click where the picture should go.
- Choose Insert > Image > Upload from computer, or drag and drop.
- Resize with the corners and choose a text wrapping option.
- On mobile, tap + > Image.
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.