Document Editing Problems

How to Stop Word from Selecting Images When Highlighting Text

Partner Editor Oct 12, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to prevent images from being accidentally selected when highlighting adjacent text in a Word document.

How to Stop Word from Selecting Images When Highlighting Text

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Highlighting paragraphs or lines of text using the mouse in a document containing images.
Observed behavior: Images are highlighted and selected alongside the text, typically because they are formatted as inline characters or their anchor paragraph is selected.

Before you start

Enable formatting marks in your document (by clicking the paragraph icon on the Home tab) to clearly see paragraph breaks and object anchors, which helps in identifying why the image is being selected.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the Image Text Wrapping Layout

Modify the text wrapping style so the image is not treated as a large text character within the paragraph.

When an image is set to 'In Line with Text', Word treats it exactly like a standard text character. If you highlight the text surrounding it, the image gets selected too. Changing the wrapping style moves the image to the drawing layer, allowing it to act independently of text selection.

Select the Image

Click on the image that keeps getting accidentally selected when highlighting text.

Open the Wrap Text Menu

Right-click the image and hover over the 'Wrap Text' option in the context menu, or navigate to the 'Picture Format' tab on the ribbon and click 'Wrap Text'.

Choose a New Wrapping Style

Select an option other than 'In Line with Text', such as 'Square', 'Tight', or 'Top and Bottom'.

Selection Fixed: Once the image is no longer inline, you can freely highlight the text without selecting the image.

Solution 2

Adjust the Image Anchor Position

Move the object anchor away from the paragraph you are trying to select.

Manage Document Images Easily

Seamlessly Manage Images and Text with WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides intuitive image layout options, making it incredibly easy to adjust text wrapping, position images, and manage object anchors without frustrating formatting issues.

1. Insert an Image: Open your document in WPS Writer, navigate to the Insert tab, and choose Picture to add an image.
2. Access Layout Options: Click the image to reveal the floating 'Layout Options' icon directly on the right side of the picture.
3. Change Wrap Style: Click the icon and select a wrapping style like 'Square' or 'Tight' to instantly detach it from the text line.
4. Adjust Anchor: Simply drag the anchor icon to a different paragraph to prevent accidental selection when editing text.

Easily adjust text wrapping with a convenient one-click floating menuFully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and layoutsClear visual indicators for object anchors and paragraph marksFree, lightweight, and fast to launch for quick document edits

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my image move when I press Enter to create a new line?

This happens when the image is set to 'In Line with Text' or is anchored to the paragraph where you are typing. Changing the text wrapping to 'Square' or dragging the anchor to a different paragraph will detach it from the current paragraph's movement.

How do I lock an image in place so it never gets selected or moved?

After selecting the image, click the Layout Options icon, choose a wrapping style other than 'In Line with Text', click 'See more', and then check the 'Lock anchor' and 'Fix position on page' options under the Position tab.

How do I select multiple images at once without highlighting any text?

You can hold down the Ctrl key while clicking each image individually. Alternatively, use the 'Select Objects' pointer tool in the Home tab to draw a selection box strictly around the images.

Document & File Issues