Documents full of pictures can make Word 2013 slow to scroll. Showing picture placeholders replaces each inline image with an empty box on screen, so you can edit text quickly; pictures still print and appear normally in other views. Office 2013 reached end of support on April 11, 2023, so it no longer receives security updates.
Quick Answer
Open File, Options, Advanced, and under Show document content check Show picture placeholders. Click OK. Uncheck it to see pictures again.
How to Show Picture Placeholders in Word 2013
- Click File, then Options.
- Select Advanced.
- Scroll to Show document content.
- Check Show picture placeholders and click OK.
- To show pictures again, return to the same setting and uncheck it.
Related Display Options
| Option | Effect |
|---|---|
| Show picture placeholders | Empty boxes for inline pictures |
| Show drawings and text boxes on screen | Hides floating objects when off |
| Draft view | Faster text editing |
| Show background colors and images | Controls page color display |
Troubleshooting
- Some pictures still show: placeholders apply to inline pictures. Floating pictures are controlled by Show drawings and text boxes on screen.
- Pictures do not print: check File, Options, Display, Print drawings created in Word.
- For content controls with picture placeholders, see how to insert a content control in Word.
- To place text next to images, read how to put text next to an image in Word.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this remove pictures from the document?
No. It only changes what you see on screen.
Does the setting apply to all documents?
Yes, until you turn it off.
Is this the same as picture content controls?
No. Content controls are placeholders you insert on purpose for others to fill in.
Summary
- Open File, Options, Advanced.
- Find Show document content.
- Check Show picture placeholders.
- Uncheck it to show pictures again.
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.