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.
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:
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.
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2016-03-28 15:24:03
Nancy Upchurch
My wrap points have more than four points each time I edit them. How do I reset wrap points to default to my edits?
2015-03-14 13:30:23
kennedy
i choose a triangle shape and insert it but when i use the edit wrap points the shape doesn't change though the black dots appear. what could be the reason? i am using word 2007
2013-08-11 16:31:09
Michael Turner
Text wrapping points are only available with certain. After selecting the text wrapping option on the Word ribbon under Picture Tools first of all choose more layout options. Make sure the "test wrapping" tab is selected and click on "tight". You should then find that the wrapping points appear when you choose the drop down list under Text wrapping on the ribbon or use the context menu by clicking the right (or left if they have been switched) mouse button.
2013-07-04 12:24:28
Sharon Wang
when I tried clicking out of the picture, the lines and boxes just disappear.
2012-08-22 16:44:43
Richard Burden
All of the text wrapping options are grayed. Picture is selected. MS Word 2003 on Windows XP. Can anything be done?
2012-01-25 21:02:27
Ron
WORD 2007 SOLUTION: Scratch that last comment and click on the link above in the next-to last paragraph in the article, "You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Editing Wrap Points." See my new comment there.
2012-01-25 20:37:01
Ron
I'm using Word 2007 and, as Barry Thistlethwaite notes. the 'Edit Wrap Points' option is grayed out and disabled. The only workaround I've discovered is to save the document as a Word 2000 .doc (Compatibility Mode) and edit the wrap points. If I then save it as a Word 2007 .docx, the wrap point editing is lost, so I have to be happy with .doc. There must be a better way.
2011-11-02 22:59:56
KaRyan
Why is there still a white box even though the setting is "Tight"?
2011-11-01 17:16:28
Barry Thistlethwaite
Why is the 'Edit Wrap Points' option grayed out even though I have the picture selected and the Wrap Text setting is 'Tight'?
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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: 
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