Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Only Inline Figures Can be Seen and Printed.
Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 20, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003
John has run into a problem where he cannot see or print any graphics that are not formatted as inline graphics. If the graphics are formatted so they are not inline, he can only see them in Print Layout view, but not any other view, and they do not print.
There are several things to check. The first is to make sure that you have Word configured to display drawings. Choose Tools | Options | View tab, and make sure the Drawing check box is selected. This check box controls whether non-inline graphics are displayed or not.
You may also want to check to make sure you aren't actually displaying your document in draft mode and that drawing objects are printed. Choose Tools | Options | Print tab. Make sure the Draft Output check box is clear and that the Drawing Objects check box is selected.
If this still does not clear up your problem, check out this page at the Word MVP site for some additional ideas:
http://wordmvp.com/FAQs/DrwGrphcs/InvisibleGraphics.htm
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (199) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Only Inline Figures Can be Seen and Printed.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2021 or Microsoft 365. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word Step by Step today!
Pictures and their titles go together like peanut butter and jelly. (Wow, did I just say that?) Seriously, pictures and ...
Discover MoreDo you like to add pictures to your document just by dragging and dropping? What are you to do if it appears the ...
Discover MoreHow to select a graphic that is obscured by a text box can be perplexing. Here's an overview of the different ways you ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2026 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here:
Comments