Formatting Issues

How to Fix Image Wrapping and Alignment in Word Table Cells

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user is looking for the best text wrapping settings to keep images properly aligned without disrupting the table cell layout.

Product: Word / WPS Writer
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a document that involves inserting images inside or next to table cells.
Observed behavior: When placing images near or inside table cells, the table alignment changes or the images jump unexpectedly depending on the wrapping style used.

Before you start

Ensure your table layout and column widths are finalized before inserting pictures, and consider turning off automatic resizing in table properties to prevent large images from distorting your grid.

Solution 1Recommended

Use 'In Line with Text' Wrapping Style

This is the most reliable method for keeping an image perfectly positioned inside a specific table cell without disrupting the surrounding layout.

When an image is set to 'In Line with Text', it behaves exactly like a single text character. This prevents the image from floating around or anchoring to external paragraphs, ensuring it stays exactly where you placed it within the table boundaries.

Select the Image

Click on the image that you have inserted into your table cell.

Access Wrapping Options

Click the small 'Layout Options' icon that appears next to the selected image, or go to the 'Picture Format' tab on the top ribbon and click 'Wrap Text'.

Apply 'In Line with Text'

Choose the 'In Line with Text' option from the dropdown menu. The image will now lock into the cell's text flow.

Solution 2

Split Table Cells for Side-by-Side Content

If you need an image to sit perfectly beside text within a table, splitting the cell provides better alignment control than using floating text wrapping styles.

Manage Documents Easier

Easily Format Tables and Images with WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides intuitive picture layout tools and precise table controls, making it effortless to align images exactly where you want them without breaking your document's formatting.

1. Insert a Table: Open WPS Writer, navigate to the 'Insert' tab, click 'Table', and drag to choose your grid dimensions.
2. Lock Cell Dimensions: Right-click the table, select 'Table Properties', go to the 'Options' button under the Table tab, and uncheck 'Automatically resize to fit contents'.
3. Insert the Picture: Click inside the desired cell, go to 'Insert' > 'Picture', and select your image file from your device.
4. Apply In-Line Wrapping: Click the inserted picture, then click the floating Layout Options icon on its right edge, and select 'In Line with Text'.

Seamlessly compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formatting.Intuitive floating quick-layout buttons for one-click image wrapping adjustments.Precise table properties control to prevent unwanted cell expansion.Free, lightweight, and incredibly easy to use for professional document design.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my image jump completely out of the table when I move it?

This happens when the image wrapping is set to a floating style like 'Square', 'Tight', or 'In Front of Text'. The image's anchor attaches to a paragraph outside the table. To fix this, change the text wrapping style to 'In Line with Text'.

How do I stop an image from resizing my table cell automatically?

Before inserting the image, right-click the table and choose 'Table Properties'. Click 'Options' on the Table tab, and uncheck the box that says 'Automatically resize to fit contents'. The cell size will remain fixed, and you can manually scale the image down to fit.

How do I center an image perfectly inside a table cell?

First, ensure the image wrapping is set to 'In Line with Text'. Then, click anywhere in the blank space next to the image inside the cell, go to the 'Home' tab, and click the 'Center Align' paragraph button. The image will center horizontally just like regular text.

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