Formatting Issues

How to Wrap Text Around the Right Side of a Picture in Microsoft Word

Nimra Malik Oct 9, 2026 868 views

Question details

The user needs to know how to properly format a document so that text flows and wraps specifically along the right edge of an inserted image.

How to Wrap Text Around the Right Side of a Picture in Word

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Formatting a document with mixed text and media where an image needs to sit on the left margin, allowing the text to neatly fill the space on its right.
Observed behavior: Text fails to wrap beside the image, often jumping below it. This typically happens when the picture is too wide, lacks a minimum one-inch margin space, or the wrong layout option is selected.

Before you start

Ensure your document is in Print Layout view and that the image is already inserted. Verify that your page margins allow enough space (at least one inch) for text to physically fit next to the image.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Square Text-Wrapping Layout Option

Applying the 'Square' wrapping style allows text to flow naturally around the bounding box of the image.

By default, Word inserts images 'In Line with Text', which treats the image like a giant text character. Changing the layout option to 'Square' decouples the image from the text line, allowing the text to wrap around it.

Select the picture

Click once on the image inserted in your Word document to select it.

Open Layout Options

Click the small 'Layout Options' icon that appears near the top-right corner of the selected image.

Choose Square

Under the 'With Text Wrapping' section, click the 'Square' icon.

Position the image on the left

Click and drag the image to the left side of your page. The text will automatically wrap around the right side of the picture.

Use the Square Text-Wrapping Layout Option

Minimum Space Requirement: Word requires a minimum amount of space (approximately one inch) between the picture and the margin for text to wrap. If the gap is too small, the text will be forced to the next line.

Solution 2

Resize the Image to Allow Text Wrapping

If the picture is too wide, text will not wrap regardless of the layout setting. Shrinking the image creates the necessary lateral space.

Free Word Processor

Wrap Text Around Images Effortlessly with WPS Writer

WPS Writer provides an intuitive and seamless experience for formatting images and text. It allows precise control over text wrapping and is fully compatible with Microsoft Word documents, making document formatting a breeze.

1. Insert the Image: Open your document in WPS Writer, go to the 'Insert' tab, and click 'Picture' to add your image.
2. Access Wrap Text Settings: Click the inserted image to activate the 'Picture Tools' tab, then click the 'Wrap Text' button.
3. Select Square Layout: Choose the 'Square' or 'Tight' layout option from the drop-down menu.
4. Adjust Position: Drag the image to the left margin. The text will seamlessly wrap around the right side of the image.

Easily wrap text around pictures with one-click Layout Options.Fully compatible with Microsoft Word (.docx) formats and image layouts.Adjust image placement and text distance with precise visual guides.Lightweight, fast, and completely free for daily document editing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my text jumping above or below the image instead of wrapping beside it?

This usually happens when the image layout is set to 'In Line with Text', or if the picture is too wide. Word requires at least one inch of horizontal space for text to wrap beside an image. Try resizing the image to make it narrower.

How do I adjust the distance between the wrapped text and the picture?

Right-click the picture, select 'Size and Position', and go to the 'Text Wrapping' tab. Under 'Distance from text', you can manually adjust the Top, Bottom, Left, and Right values to increase or decrease the gap.

Does the 'Tight' wrapping option work differently than 'Square'?

Yes. 'Square' wraps text around the rectangular bounding box of the image. 'Tight' wraps text closer to the actual edges of the subject within the image, which is especially useful for shapes or images with transparent backgrounds.

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