Understand In line with Text Objects
In Word, when you paste or insert a picture or clip art, it is shown in line with text (by default). This means that it is located within a paragraph and can be selected as though it were a text character.
Selected picture in In line With Text mode
In line with text makes it easier to control an object, but it does not give you much flexibility in positioning it on the page.
| TIP: The problem with a float over text object is that it often moves about or disappears when you edit the paragraph to which it is linked. |
You can change Word's options to change the default paste action between float over and inline with text.
Wrapping style
Again, just in Word, there are many sub-types of float over text, which determine how the object affects the normal text paragraphs surrounding it. This is referred to as the object's wrapping style.
| TIP: For more information about text wrapping styles, look up the topic "Position graphics and text" in the online help. |
| TIP: A Word picture object is inserted in line with text. A Word Drawing Canvas is similar to inline with text. Look up the topics in the Graphics and Diagrams section of the online help for more information about creating drawings in Word. |
To make sure objects are inserted in line with text in Word
- From the Tools menu, select Options... then click the Edit tab
- From the Insert/paste pictures as: box, select In line with text then click OK
To make a float over text object in line with text in Word
- Select the object by clicking it once with the mouse
- From the Format menu, select Picture (or Object)
- Click the Layout tab
- Select In line with text then click OK
Resize an Object
You can resize inline and float over text objects.
When you resize a picture or chart, it is usually best to keep its proportions (that is, the ratio between its height and width) the same. If you change the ratio between height and width (for example, by making a picture wider without making it taller), the image will be distorted.
To resize an object using the mouse
- Select the object
- Point to a white (or black) handle - use the corner handles to keep the proportions of the object the same
The mouse pointer changes shape to an angled, double-headed arrow depending on the handle you point to.
Click-and-drag the handle to make the object bigger or smaller
| TIP: Hold down the Ctrl key to resize the object from the centre outwards. |
To resize an object using the Format dialogue box
The advantage of using the Format dialogue box to resize an object is that you can enter precise measurements.
- Select the object by clicking it once with the mouse
- On the Picture toolbar, click Format
OR
- From the Format menu, select Picture (or Object, AutoShape, and so on)
The Format Picture dialogue box is displayed.
Format Picture dialogue box - Size tab
Either you can resize the object to exact measurements or you can scale it to a proportion of its original size.
- Enter values in the Height: and Width: boxes under the Size and rotate or the Scale panel as appropriate
| TIP: If the Lock aspect ratio box is checked, the value you enter in one box will automatically update the value in the other box. |
