Layout options

Applies To
Word for Microsoft 365 Word 2024 Word 2021

Use the Layout dialog box in Word to customize the position, text wrapping, and size of pictures and shapes.

Open the Layout dialog box

  1. Select the picture or shape.

  2. Select the Layout Options icon.

  3. Select See more...

  4. In the Layout dialog box, select from the Position, Text Wrapping, and Size tabs.

Note

This content applies to Word for Windows (including Word with a Microsoft 365 subscription). The steps and options may differ in Word for Mac or Word for the web.

Use the Position tab to control where a picture or shape appears on the page.

Horizontal

Position an image horizontally on a page based on the following:

  • Alignment Set an image Left, Right, or Centered relative to the Page, Margin, Column, Character, Left, Right, Inside, or Outside margins. Page and Margin settings position the object relative to both the left and right of the page.

  • Book Layout Set position when your document will be produced for printing or binding. You can control where your image will appear on a left or right page. You can position images relative to the Inside or Outside of the Page or Margin.

  • Absolute position Locks your image to a specific measured position to the right of the Page, Margin, Column, Character, or specifically to the Left, Right, Inside, or Outside margin. Measurements can be specified as either positive or negative for exact position control left or right of the anchor point. The image will stay in the same position regardless of any other formatting changes you make.

  • Relative position Set an image to a position relative to the Margin, Page, Left, Right, Inside, or Outside Margins. Specific settings are percentages. This can be helpful to keep an image a set distance from a margin, even if you plan to change margins.

Layout options position tab

Vertical

Position an image vertically on a page based on the following:

  • Alignment Position an image at the Top, Centered, Bottom, Inside, or Outside as relative to the Page, Margin, line, Top, Bottom, Inside, or Outside margins. Page and Margin position the image relative to both the top and bottom of the page.
  • Absolute position Locks your image to a specific measured position below the Page, Margin, Paragraph, Line, or specifically the Top, Bottom, Inside, or Outside margin. Measurements can be specified as either positive or negative for exact position control up or down from the anchor point. The image will stay in the same position regardless of any other formatting changes you make.
  • Relative position Set an image to a position relative to the Margin, Page, Top, Bottom, Inside, or Outside Margins. This can be helpful to keep an image a set distance from a margin, even if you plan to change margins.

Options

Additional options to use when positioning images and objects.

  • Move object with text Keeps the picture or shape positioned relative to the paragraph it's anchored to. When the paragraph moves, the object moves with it.

  • Lock anchor prevents the object's anchor from being moved to another paragraph.

  • Allow overlap Allows the selected picture or shape to overlap other objects. Use Bring Forward or Send Backward to change the stacking order of overlapping objects.