Using Object Anchors

When you insert a picture or other object in your Word document, and that object is set to float over text, Word maintains an internal "anchor" to indicate the paragraph with which the object is associated. Normally, the anchors aren't visible. You can make them visible, however, by following these steps in versions of Word prior to Word 2007:

1. Make sure you are viewing your document in Print Layout view. (This view is called Page Layout view in Word 97.)
2. Choose Options from Tools menu. Word displays the Options dialog box.
3. Make sure the View tab is displayed. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Make sure the Object Anchors check box is selected.
5. Click on OK.

If you are using Word 2007 then you can use the following steps to make the object anchors visible:

1. Click the Office button and then click Word Options. Word displays the Word Options dialog box.
2. At the left of the dialog box click Display. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Make sure the Object Anchors check box is selected. (You don't need to select the check box if the Show All Formatting Marks check box is selected.)
4. Click on OK.

Now, whenever you select an object that is floating over your text, Word displays an image of an anchor in the margin to the left of the paragraph with which the selected graphic is associated. If you want to change the association, drag the anchor to a different paragraph.

You should note that you can only work with object anchors if you are viewing your document in Page Layout view.