Office for Mac Issues

How to Remove the "Object" Text Error on Images in Word for Mac

WPS Editor Oct 10, 2026 870 views

Question details

The user wants to eliminate the phantom "object" text that displays over images or shapes when modifying text-wrapping settings in Word for Mac.

How to Remove the "Object" Text Error on Images in Word for Mac

Product: Microsoft Word for Mac
Device & OS: macOS
Scenario: Inserting, pasting, or dragging JPG/PNG images into a DOCX document and applying text-wrapping options.
Observed behavior: The word "object" unexpectedly appears on or near images and shapes, typically triggering after the layout is changed to a wrapping style other than In Line with Text.

Before you start

Ensure your document is saved and verify your current versions of macOS and Microsoft Word before applying troubleshooting steps.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Text Wrapping to "In Line with Text"

Use this workaround to immediately hide the phantom text by resetting the image layout to the default inline setting.

The "object" text error is a known rendering glitch in certain versions of Word for Mac. It is most frequently triggered when an image's text-wrapping is set to anything other than the default inline layout. Reverting to inline wrapping often clears the visual artifact.

Select the Image

Click on the affected image or shape in your Word document to reveal the Picture Format or Shape Format tab.

Access Text Wrapping Settings

Click the 'Wrap Text' icon located in the Arrange group on the toolbar, or right-click the image and select 'Wrap Text' from the context menu.

Apply Inline Wrapping

Choose 'In Line with Text' from the dropdown list. Check if the phantom "object" text disappears from the document.

Change Text Wrapping to "In Line with Text"

Formatting adjustments: Changing the wrap setting to 'In Line with Text' will affect how your image sits within the paragraph. You may need to use spacing or alignment tools to reposition your image appropriately.

Solution 2

Update macOS and Microsoft Word

Install the latest system and software updates to patch rendering defects causing the graphical glitch.

Solution 3

Report the Defect to Microsoft

Submit a bug report directly to the development team if the issue persists across the latest updates.

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If persistent rendering bugs in Microsoft Word are interrupting your workflow, consider switching to WPS Office. WPS Writer offers a smooth, lightweight experience for handling images, shapes, and complex document layouts without graphical errors, while remaining fully compatible with Word documents.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free WPS Office for Mac from the official website.
2. Open Your Document: Launch WPS Writer and open your existing DOCX file containing the images.
3. Format Images Seamlessly: Select any image, click the Wrap Text icon, and freely apply any text-wrapping style without rendering defects.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the word "object" appear over my images in Word for Mac?

This is a known graphical rendering defect in certain versions of Word for Mac and macOS. It is typically triggered when you change an image's text-wrapping setting from the default 'In Line with Text' to floating options like 'Square' or 'Tight'.

Does this issue happen with all image formats?

Users primarily report this issue when working with standard image formats such as JPG and PNG inside DOCX files. It can also occur when inserting or modifying shapes.

Will saving the document as a PDF remove the phantom "object" text?

Because it is often a display rendering issue within the Word application itself, printing or exporting the document to a PDF might bypass the glitch. However, it is recommended to test this by saving a copy as a PDF and reviewing the output before sharing it.

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