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: Editing Wrap Points.

Editing Wrap Points

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated March 21, 2020)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

When you insert a picture in Word, it defines a series of "wrap points" around the picture. By default there are four wrap points that surround the perimeter of the picture, forming a rectangle. When you wrap text around the picture, the wrap points define how close the text can come to the picture.

If you want, you can create custom wrapping of text by editing the wrap points so they more closely reflect exactly what you want. Simply follow these steps:

Insert your picture as you normally would, and make sure it is selected.
Make sure the Picture toolbar is displayed. If it is not, use the Toolbars option from the View menu to display it.
Click on the Text Wrapping tool on the Picture toolbar. Word displays a list of wrapping options.
Choose the last option in the list, Edit Wrap Points. Word displays the wrap points around the picture. They are small black boxes. Each of the wrap points is connected with a small dashed red line.
Move existing wrap points by clicking and dragging them to a new position.
Add new wrap points by clicking on the dashed red line at the position where you want a wrap point and dragging the new wrap point to the desired position.
Remove an existing wrap point by holding down the Ctrl key as you click on the wrap point.
When done adjusting wrap points, click anywhere outside the picture. The wrap points disappear, and your text follows the texture you defined when you edited the points.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1873) 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: Editing Wrap Points.

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...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Finding the Nth Root of a Number

Finding a square root is easy because Excel provides a worksheet function for that purpose. Finding a different root may ...

Discover More

Resetting All Shortcut Keys

At some point you might want to wipe out all the custom shortcut keys you've created in Word. This is easy to do by ...

Discover More

Creating a Directory in a Macro

One of the things you can do with macros is to work with disk files. As you do so, you may have a need to create a new ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (menu)

Best Quality for High Resolution Graphics

You want your documents to look as good as they can. If those documents include graphics, then you also need to make sure ...

Discover More

Rotating Graphics Around a Different Center Point

You use the rotation handle in Word 2002 and Word 2003 to, well, rotate graphics around a center point. But if you hold ...

Discover More

Horizontal Alignment Errors for Graphics

Discussion of alignment differences for graphics in Word 97 and Word 2000.

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 2 + 3?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

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.