You can use either a text box or WordArt to add text on top of a photo in Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, or Excel.
Text box over a photo
If your text is longer or doesn't need fancy styling, a text box may be suitable. You can format the text any way you like.
WordArt over a photo
If the text is brief and you want a stylized look—similar to what you might see on a postcard—then WordArt might be your best option.
Which app are you using?
Word or Outlook | PowerPoint or Excel
Word or Outlook
Use a text box to add text on top of a photo
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In your document, click to select an insertion point.
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On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes, and then click New Drawing Canvas.
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Click the drawing canvas, and then, on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Pictures.
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Browse to and double-click the photo that you want to use, and then click outside the drawing canvas.
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On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Text Box, and then at the bottom of the menu, click Draw Text Box.
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Type the text that you want to appear in the text box, and then drag the text box to the location that you want on top of the picture.
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To change the font or style of the text, highlight the text and then select the text formatting you want on the shortcut menu.
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Click the outside edge of the text box, and then drag the text box to position it over your photo.
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Make sure that the text box is still selected, and then, on the Shape Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, do the following:
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Click Shape Fill, and then click No Fill.
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Click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
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Click the outside edge of the photo, press and hold Ctrl, and then click the edge of the WordArt so that both items are selected.
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On the Shape Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
Use WordArt to add text on top of a photo
-
In your document, click to select an insertion point.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes, and then click New Drawing Canvas.
-
Click the drawing canvas, and then, on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Pictures.
-
Browse to and double-click the photo that you want to use.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click WordArt, click the style of text you want, and then type your text.
-
Click the outside edge of the WordArt to select it, drag the text over your photo and then, if you want, rotate the text to the angle that works best for your photo.
-
Click the outside edge of the photo, press and hold Ctrl, and then click the edge of the WordArt so that both items are selected.
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On the Picture Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
PowerPoint or Excel
Use a text box to add text on top of a photo
-
In your file, make sure that you've inserted a photo.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Text Box, drag to draw a text box anywhere near the picture, and then type your text.
-
To change the font or style of the text, highlight the text, right-click it, and then select the text formatting you want on the shortcut menu.
-
Click the outside edge of the text box, drag the text over your photo and then, if you want, rotate the text to the angle that works best for your photo.
-
Make sure that the text box is still selected, and then, on the Shape Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, do the following:
-
Click Shape Fill, and then click No Fill.
-
Click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
-
-
Click the outside edge of the photo, press Ctrl, and then click the edge of the text box so that both items are selected.
-
On the Shape Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
Use WordArt to add text on top of a photo
-
In your file, make sure that you've inserted a photo.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click WordArt, click the style of text you want, and then type your text.
-
Click the outside edge of the WordArt to select it, drag the text over your photo and then, if you want to, rotate the text to the angle that works best for your photo.
-
Click the outside edge of the photo, press and hold Ctrl, and then click the edge of the WordArt so that both items are selected.
-
On the Shape Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
Which app are you using?
Word or Outlook | PowerPoint or Excel
Word or Outlook
Use a text box to add text on top of a photo
-
In your document, click to select an insertion point.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes, and then click New Drawing Canvas.
-
Click the drawing canvas, and then, on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Pictures.
-
Browse to and double-click the photo that you want to use, and then click outside the drawing canvas.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Text Box, and then at the bottom of the menu, click Draw Text Box.
-
Type the text that you want to appear in the text box, and then drag the text box to the location that you want on top of the picture.
-
To change the font or style of the text, highlight the text and then select the text formatting you want on the shortcut menu.
-
Click the outside edge of the text box, and then drag the text box to position it over your photo.
-
Make sure that the text box is still selected, and then, under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, do the following:
-
Click Shape Fill, and then click No Fill.
-
Click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
-
-
Click the outside edge of the photo, press and hold Ctrl, and then click the edge of the WordArt so that both items are selected.
-
Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
Use WordArt to add text on top of a photo
-
In your document, click to select an insertion point.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes, and then click New Drawing Canvas.
-
Click the drawing canvas, and then, on the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Pictures.
-
Browse to and double-click the photo that you want to use.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click WordArt, click the style of text you want, and then type your text.
-
Click the outside edge of the WordArt to select it, drag the text over your photo and then, if you want, rotate the text to the angle that works best for your photo.
-
Click the outside edge of the photo, press and hold Ctrl, and then click the edge of the WordArt so that both items are selected.
-
Under Picture Tools, on the Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
PowerPoint or Excel
Use a text box to add text on top of a photo
-
In your file, make sure that you've inserted a photo.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Text Box, drag to draw a text box anywhere near the picture, and then type your text.
-
To change the font or style of the text, highlight the text, right-click it, and then select the text formatting you want on the shortcut menu.
-
Click the outside edge of the text box, drag the text over your photo and then, if you want, rotate the text to the angle that works best for your photo.
-
Make sure that the text box is still selected, and then, under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, do the following:
-
Click Shape Fill, and then click No Fill.
-
Click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
-
-
Click the outside edge of the photo, press Ctrl, and then click the edge of the text box so that both items are selected.
-
Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
Use WordArt to add text on top of a photo
-
In your file, make sure that you've inserted a photo.
-
On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click WordArt, click the style of text you want, and then type your text.
-
Click the outside edge of the WordArt to select it, drag the text over your photo and then, if you want to, rotate the text to the angle that works best for your photo.
-
Click the outside edge of the photo, press and hold Ctrl, and then click the edge of the WordArt so that both items are selected.
-
Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Arrange group, select Group > Group.
