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: Creating a Drawing Object.

Creating a Drawing Object

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated December 27, 2019)

Word allows you to create drawing objects in your document. These objects (such as an oval, rectangle, line, or AutoShape) are positioned on what is termed the "drawing layer," which is separate and distinct from the text that appears in a document. You generally create such objects by using the tools on the Drawing toolbar. (Display the Drawing toolbar by clicking your mouse on the Drawing tool on the Standard toolbar.)

Notice that on the left side of the Drawing toolbar are several tools used to create basic shapes. The line, arrow, rectangle, and oval tools are easily identifiable. In addition, the AutoShapes tool displays a menu of more than 125 different symbols, banners, and callouts.

You can follow these steps to place a drawing object in your document:

Click on the tool that represents the type of object you want to create or select the object from the AutoShape tool. Once a tool is selected, the mouse pointer changes to crosshairs, or a plus sign.
Click within your document at one corner of where you want the shape to appear.
Drag the mouse to the opposite corner for the object.
When you release the mouse button, the object appears in the document and you can manipulate it as desired.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1318) 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: Creating a Drawing Object.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

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