Formatting Issues

How to Add Movable Text Over a Scanned Map in Word

Bushra Parveen Oct 16, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user wants to place movable text elements, such as dates, track marks, labels, and titles, over a scanned map without the text boxes moving behind or away from the image.

How to Add Movable Text Over a Scanned Map in Word

Product: Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Adding custom annotations and labels to a scanned map or image within a document.
Observed behavior: Needs to position layered text securely over a map so it can be managed, edited, and moved independently of the background image.

Before you start

Ensure your scanned map is inserted into the document and its text wrapping style is set to 'Behind Text' or 'Tight' so you can freely place objects on top of it.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Transparent Text Boxes and the Selection Pane

The most effective way to add movable text over an image is to create borderless, transparent text boxes and manage their layers using the Selection Pane.

By removing the background fill and outline of a text box, the text appears directly painted onto the map. The Selection Pane helps you keep track of these text boxes, preventing them from getting lost behind the main image.

Insert a Text Box

Navigate to the Insert tab on the ribbon, click on Text Box, and select Draw Text Box. Draw the box over your scanned map.

Make the Text Box Transparent

Select the text box and go to the Shape Format tab. Click Shape Fill and select 'No Fill', then click Shape Outline and select 'No Outline'.

Add and Position Your Text

Type your dates, labels, or titles into the text box. Click and drag the edges of the box to freely position it anywhere over the scanned map.

Manage Layers with the Selection Pane

To easily find and select these text boxes later, go to the Home tab, click Select in the Editing group, and choose Selection Pane. Here, you can select, rename, and manage all your layered objects independently of the image.

Use Transparent Text Boxes and the Selection Pane

Easy Layer Management: Renaming your text boxes in the Selection Pane (e.g., 'Title Label', 'Date Box') makes it much easier to select specific elements if your map becomes cluttered.

Solution 2

Use Shapes with the Add Text Option

You can also use custom shapes as labels by making them transparent and adding text directly inside them.

Advanced Word Processing

Easily Annotate Images and Maps in WPS Writer

WPS Office provides a highly intuitive set of tools for layering text, shapes, and images. You can seamlessly insert transparent text boxes over scanned maps and manage complex layers with ease.

1. Insert the Scanned Map: Open WPS Writer, go to the Insert tab, click Picture, and place your scanned map into the document.
2. Set Text Wrapping: Click the picture, choose the Wrap Text icon that appears, and select 'Behind Text' to ensure text boxes can float over it.
3. Add a Transparent Text Box: Go to Insert > Text Box, draw it over the map, and set its Shape Fill and Outline to 'No Fill' and 'No Line'.
4. Manage Layers: Use the Selection Pane from the Home tab to easily select, hide, or reposition your text boxes at any time without moving the background.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents (.docx)Intuitive Selection Pane for managing multiple overlapping layersAdvanced object positioning and text wrapping toolsFree, lightweight, and fast office suite

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my text box disappear behind the scanned map?

This happens due to object layering. Your text box was likely inserted behind the image. Select the map, right-click, and choose 'Send to Back', or change the map's text wrapping layout to 'Behind Text'. You can also use the Selection Pane to drag the text box layer above the image layer.

How do I group the text boxes with the map so they move together?

To lock the positions of your text and map, select the map, hold down the Ctrl key, and click each text box. Once all elements are selected, right-click any of them, navigate to 'Group', and click 'Group'. They will now move and scale as a single unit.

Can I rotate the text box to align with a tilted map feature?

Yes. Click on the text box to reveal its selection handles. Click and drag the circular rotation handle located at the top of the box to angle your text exactly as needed over the map.

Document & File Issues