Article ID: 212019 - Last Review: October 27, 2002 - Revision: 1.0

HOW TO: Place Text Over a Graphic in Word 2000

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SUMMARY

This article explains how to place text over a graphics image in a Word 2000 document.

To understand this process, it is important to first understand the concept of layering. Word documents are composed of six layers:

Main text front drawing layer
Main text layer
Main text back drawing layer
Header/footer front drawing layer
Header/footer bottom text layer
Header/footer back drawing layer

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Cross Section of Word Document Layers

                                           ___________________
                                          /                   /|
                                         /   <SURFACE OF     / |
                                        /       PAPER>      /  |
                                       /                   /  /|
                 Front drawing layer  |-------------------|  / |
                     MAIN TEXT LAYER  |===================| / /|
                  Back drawing layer  |-------------------|/ / / 
                                      |                   | / / 
                 Front drawing layer  |-------------------|/ / 
   (Header/footer) BOTTOM TEXT LAYER  |===================| / 
                  Back drawing layer  |-------------------|/

To import graphics, such as clip art or other pictures, point to Picture on the Insert menu; or cut or copy a graphics image to the Clipboard, and then paste it into your document. By default, inserted graphics are placed inline with the text. (You can specify a different layout option if you want. To do this, right-click the image, click Format Picture on the shortcut menu, and then click the Layout tab.) If the In line with text option is selected, Word inserts the image into the main text layer, and the image behaves as a single character of text.

To place text over a graphics image, use either of the following methods.

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Method 1: Insert or Paste a New Graphic

Use the Insert or Paste command to insert the graphic into the document.
Click the graphics image to select it.
On the Format menu, click Picture.
Click the Layout tab. Under Wrapping style, click Behind text, and then click OK.
Repeat step 4.

NOTE: The last step is required because even though Behind text is selected, Word incorrectly sets the picture for In front of text.

The graphics image is now behind the main text layer.

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Method 2: Use a Text Box

Place the text inside a text box that is positioned in front of the floating graphic. The text box is in the main text front drawing layer, positioned over the floating graphic. To do this, follow these steps:

Use the Insert or Paste command to insert the graphics image into the document.
On the Drawing toolbar, click Text Box. If the Drawing toolbar is not visible, point to Toolbars on the View menu, and then click Drawing.

The mouse pointer appears as a plus sign (+) when moved over the document.
Position the pointer where you want the text to appear. Click and drag the mouse to draw a box.

When you release the mouse button, your insertion point is inside the text box.
Type the text that you want to appear on the graphic.

NOTE: The text box may have a solid background and border. To change these settings, follow these steps:
1. On the Format menu, click Text Box, and then click the Colors and Lines tab.
2. Under Fill, select Semitransparent, or set the Fill Color to No Fill.
3. Under Line, set the Color to No Line.