Document Editing Problems

How to Add an Unnumbered Picture Caption in Word

Adam Davis Sep 28, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to add a descriptive title or label to an image without the automatic numbering generated by the default Caption tool.

How to Add an Unnumbered Picture Caption in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Document formatting and image labeling
Observed behavior: Word's default Caption feature automatically assigns sequence numbers (e.g., Figure 1, Figure 2) to image labels, preventing users from inserting plain, unnumbered captions directly through the tool.

Before you start

Determine if you will need to generate an automatic Table of Figures later, as unnumbered ordinary text captions will not be included in it.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Ordinary Text Below the Picture

The simplest and most reliable way to create an unnumbered caption is to type standard text directly below the image.

By bypassing the automatic Caption tool entirely, you avoid triggering Word's sequential numbering system while retaining full control over the text formatting.

Create a new line

Click directly to the right of your inserted picture and press the Enter key to create a new paragraph line right below the image.

Type your caption

Type your desired caption text manually without opening the 'Insert Caption' dialog box.

Format the text

Highlight the text you just typed and use the Home tab to format it (e.g., apply italics, reduce the font size, and set alignment to Center) so it visually matches a standard picture caption.

Table of Figures limitation: Because this text is not tagged as a formal caption, it cannot be used for automatic cross-referencing or generating a Table of Figures.

Solution 2

Delete the Number from a Standard Caption

Insert a regular caption using Word's built-in tool, then manually delete the auto-generated number to leave only the text.

Efficient Document Formatting

Easily Manage Image Captions with WPS Office

WPS Writer offers highly intuitive tools for managing images, text boxes, and captions, allowing you to freely format your documents without rigid automatic numbering restrictions.

1. Insert your picture: Open your document in WPS Writer, go to the 'Insert' tab, and add your image to the page.
2. Insert a Text Box: Click 'Insert' from the top ribbon and select 'Text Box', then draw it directly below your image.
3. Type your unnumbered caption: Type your descriptive text into the box and format it as desired.
4. Remove the text box outline: Select the text box, go to the 'Shape Appearance' menu, and set the Shape Outline to 'No Line' for a clean, professional caption.

Easily insert unnumbered captions using flexible text boxesSeamless and 100% format compatibility with Microsoft Word (.docx)Lightweight, fast-loading, and completely free to useIntuitive UI that requires no learning curve for Office users

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word force numbers on my picture captions?

Word's built-in Caption feature is specifically designed to sequence images automatically. This numbering is required to maintain dynamic cross-references and to accurately generate a Table of Figures.

Can I exclude the label but keep the number?

Yes. When inserting a caption via the 'Insert Caption' dialog box, you can check the box for 'Exclude label from caption'. This will remove text like 'Figure' or 'Table', but the sequential number will remain.

How do I ensure my unnumbered text stays grouped with my picture?

To keep them together during document edits, insert your unnumbered text using a Text Box. Then, hold down the Ctrl key, click both the image and the text box, right-click, and select 'Group'.

Document & File Issues