Fix Cannot Select Text Box and Image Together in Word
Question details
The user is unable to select a text box and an image simultaneously to group them together in Microsoft Word.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Attempting to select and group an image and a text box together to maintain a specific document layout.
- Observed behavior
- Clicking the text box deselects the image and vice versa, preventing simultaneous selection even when both objects are set to Square text wrapping.
Verify that both your image and text box are set to a floating text wrapping style (like Square or Tight), as inline objects cannot be grouped with floating objects.
Convert the Document from .doc to .docx Format
Older document formats running in Compatibility Mode prevent the simultaneous selection of distinct object types. Upgrading to the modern .docx format restores full grouping capabilities.
When a document is saved as a legacy .doc file, Microsoft Word opens it in Compatibility Mode. This mode disables certain advanced layout features, including the ability to group text boxes with images.
Click on the 'File' tab in the top-left corner of the Word interface, then select 'Save As' and choose a destination folder.
In the 'Save as type' dropdown menu, select 'Word Document (*.docx)' and click 'Save'.
Return to your document. Hold down the 'Shift' or 'Ctrl' key on your keyboard, then click on the image followed by the text box to select both.
Right-click on either of the selected objects, navigate to 'Group' in the context menu, and click 'Group' to combine them.
Easily Select and Group Objects Using WPS Writer
WPS Writer offers an intuitive document layout engine that makes selecting, grouping, and arranging text boxes and images completely effortless, without unexpected compatibility restrictions.
- 1. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open the document containing your text box and image.
- 2. Check Text Wrapping: Click on the image and ensure the Text Wrapping is set to a floating option like 'Square' or 'Tight'.
- 3. Select Multiple Objects: Hold down the 'Shift' key on your keyboard, then click on the image and the text box to select them together.
- 4. Group Objects: Right-click the selected objects, hover over 'Group', and click 'Group' from the dropdown menu to lock them together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the 'Group' button grayed out in Word?
The 'Group' option is disabled if only one object is selected, if the document is severely restricted by Compatibility Mode, or if one of the selected objects is set to 'In Line with Text'. Change the wrapping style to 'Square' or 'Tight' to enable grouping.
Can I group an image and text without a text box?
No, standard document text cannot be grouped directly with an image. You must place the text inside a text box or shape first, and then group that text box with the image.
How do I easily select multiple hard-to-click objects?
Go to the Home tab, find the 'Editing' group on the far right, click 'Select', and choose 'Select Objects'. You can now click and drag a large bounding box over all the images and text boxes you want to select simultaneously.
