Module 04: Working with Objects

Pictures and Text Wrapping

Introduction
Adding pictures to your document can be a great way to illustrate important information and add decorative
accents to existing text. Used in moderation, pictures can improve the overall appearance of your document.
To insert a picture from a file:
If you have a specific image in mind, you can insert a picture from a file. In our example, we'll insert a picture
saved locally on our computer. If you'd like to work along with our example, right-click the image below and
save it to your computer.

1. Place the insertion point where you want the image to appear.

2. Select the Insert tab on the Ribbon, then click the Pictures command.
3. The Insert Picture dialog box will appear. Navigate to the folder where your image is
located, then select the image and click Insert.

4. The image will appear in the document.

To resize an image, click and drag one of the corner sizing handles. The image will change size while keeping
the same proportions. If you want to stretch it horizontally or vertically, you can use the side sizing handles.

Changing text wrapping settings

When you insert a picture from a file, you may notice that it's difficult to move it exactly where you want. This
is because the text wrapping for the image is set to In Line with Text. You'll need to change the text wrapping
setting if you want to move the image freely, or if you just want the text to wrap around the image in a more
natural way.
To wrap text around an image:
1. Select the image you want to wrap text around. The Format tab will appear on the right
side of the Ribbon.
2. On the Format tab, click the Wrap Text command in the Arrange group, then select
the desired text wrapping option. In our example, we'll select In Front of Text so we
can freely move it without affecting the text. You can also select More Layout
Options to fine tune the layout.

3. The text will wrap around the image. You can now move the image if you want. Just
click and drag it to the desired location. As you move it, alignment guides will appear
to help you align the image on the page.
You can also access text wrapping options by selecting the image and clicking the Layout Options button that
appears.

If the alignment guides do not appear, select the Page Layout tab, then click the Align command. Select Use
Alignment Guides from the drop-down menu that appears.
Using a predefined text wrapping setting
Predefined text wrapping allows you to quickly move the image to a specific location on the page. The text will
automatically wrap around the object so it's still easy to read.

Inserting online pictures

If you don't have the picture you want on your computer, you can find a picture online to add to your document.
Word offers two options for finding online pictures:
• Bing Image Search: You can use this option to search the Internet for images. By
default, Bing only shows images that are licensed under Creative Commons, which
means you can use them for your own projects. However, you should click the link to
the image's website to see if there are any restrictions on how it can be used.
 To insert an online picture:

1. Place the insertion point where you want the image to appear.

2. Select the Insert tab, then click the Online Pictures command.
3. The Insert Pictures dialog box will appear.
4. Choose Bing Image Search or your OneDrive. In our example, we'll use Bing Image Search.

5. Press the Enter key. Your search results will appear in the box.
6. Select the desired image, then click Insert.
 7. The image will appear in the document.

Formatting Pictures

Introduction
There are many ways to format pictures in Word. For instance, you can change the size or shape of an image to
better suit your document. You can also enhance its appearance using Word's image adjustment tools.

To crop an image:
When you crop an image, part of the picture is removed. Cropping can be useful if you're working with an image
that's too big and you want to focus on only part of it.
1. Select the image you want to crop. The Format tab will appear.
2. From the Format tab, click the Crop command.

3. Cropping handles will appear on the sides and corners of the image. Click and
drag any handle to crop the image. Because the cropping handles are near the resizing
handles, be careful not to drag a resizing handle by mistake.

4. To confirm, click the Crop command again. The image will be cropped.

The corner handles are useful for simultaneously cropping the image horizontally and vertically.
To crop an image to a shape:
1. Select the image you want to crop, then click the Format tab.
 2. Click the Crop drop-down arrow. Hover over Crop to Shape, then select the
desired shape from the drop-down menu.

3. The image will be cropped to the chosen shape.

To add a border to a picture:

1. Select the picture you want to add a border to, then click the Format tab.
2. Click the Picture Border command. A drop-down menu will appear.
3. From here, you can select a color, weight (thickness), and whether the line is dashed.
 4. The border will appear around the image.
Making image adjustments
With Word's image adjustment tools, you can easily change properties like color, contrast, saturation, and tone.
Word also offers built-in picture styles, which can be used to add a frame, drop shadow, and other predefined
effects.
When you're ready to adjust an image, simply select it. Then use the options below, which can be found on
the Format tab.

Corrections
From here, you can sharpen or soften the image to adjust how clear or blurry it appears. You can also
adjust brightness and contrast, which affect the image's lightness and general intensity.
Color
Using this command, you can adjust the image's saturation (how vibrant the colors appear), tone (the color
temperature of the image, from cool to warm), and coloring (the overall tint of the image).
Artistic Effects
Here, you can apply special effects to your image, such as pastel, watercolor, or glowing edges. Because the
results are so bold, you may want to use these effects sparingly (especially in professional documents).
Picture Styles group
This group contains different predefined styles that make image formatting even easier. Picture styles are
designed to frame your image without changing its basic settings or effects.

Compressing pictures
If you plan to email a document that contains pictures, you'll need to monitor its file size. Large, high-resolution
images can cause your document to become very large, which may make it difficult to attach to an email.
Additionally, cropped areas of pictures are saved within the document by default, which can add to the file size.
Thankfully, you can reduce your document's file size by compressing your pictures. This will lower
their resolution and delete cropped areas.
Compressing a picture may noticeably affect its quality (for instance, the image may become blurry or pixelated).
Because of this, we recommend saving an extra copy of your document before compressing pictures. Also, be
prepared to use the Undo command if you're dissatisfied with the results.
To compress a picture:
1. Select the picture you want to compress, then navigate to the Format tab.
2. Click the Compress Pictures command.
 3. A dialog box will appear. Check the box next to Delete cropped areas of pictures. You
can also choose whether to apply the settings to this picture only or to all pictures in
the document.
4. Choose a Target output. If you are emailing your document, you may want to
select Email, which produces the smallest file size.
5. Click OK.

Shapes
Introduction
You can add a variety of shapes to your document, including arrows, callouts, squares, stars, and flowchart
shapes. Want to set your name and address apart from the rest of your resume? Use a line. Need to create a
diagram showing a timeline or process? Use flowchart shapes. While you may not need shapes in every document
you create, they can add visual appeal and clarity.
To insert a shape:
1. Select the Insert tab, then click the Shapes command. A drop-down menu of shapes
will appear.
2. Select the desired shape.
 3. Click and drag in the desired location to add the shape to your document.

If you want, you can enter text in a shape. When the shape appears in your document, you can begin typing. You
can then use the formatting options on the Home tab to change the font, font size, or color of the text.
To change the order of shapes:
If one shape overlaps another, you may need to change the ordering so the correct shape appears in front. You
can bring a shape to the front or send it to the back. If you have multiple images, you can use Bring to
Front or Send to Back to adjust the ordering. You can also move a shape in front of or behind text.
1. Right-click the shape you want to move. In our example, we want the heart to appear
behind the ribbon, so we'll right-click the heart.

2. In the menu that appears, hover over Bring to Front or Send to Back. Several ordering
options will appear. Select the desired ordering option. In this example, we'll
choose Send to Back.
 3. The order of the shapes will change.

In some cases, the ordering option you select will not affect the ordering of the shapes. If this happens, try
selecting the same option again or try a different option.
If you have several shapes placed on top of each other, it may be difficult to select an individual shape.
The Selection pane allows you to select a shape and drag it to a new location. To access the Selection pane,
click Selection Pane on the Format tab.

To resize a shape:
1. Select the shape you want to resize. Sizing handles will appear on the corners and sides
of the shape.

2. Click and drag the sizing handles until the shape is the desired size. You can use the
corner sizing handles to change the shape's height and width at the same time.

3. To rotate the shape, click and drag the rotation handle.

Some shapes also have one or more yellow handles that can be used to modify the shape. For example, with
banner shapes you can adjust the position of the folds.

Modifying shapes
Word allows you to modify your shapes in a variety of ways so you can tailor them to your projects. You
can change a shape into a different shape, format a shape's style and color, and add various effects.
To change the shape style:
Choosing a shape style allows you to apply preset colors and effects to quickly change the appearance of your
shape.
1. Select the shape you want to change.
2. On the Format tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Shape Styles group.

3. A drop-down menu of styles will appear. Select the style you want to use.
 4. The shape will appear in the selected style.

To change the shape fill color:

1. Select the shape you want to change.
2. On the Format tab, click the Shape Fill drop-down arrow. Select the color you want to
use. To view additional color options, select More Fill Colors.

3. The shape will appear in the selected fill color.

If you want to use a different type of fill, select Gradient or Texture from the drop-down menu. You can also
select No Fill to make it transparent.
To change the shape outline:
1. Select the shape you want to change.

2. On the Format tab, click the Shape Outline drop-down arrow. The Shape
Outline menu will appear.
3. Select the color you want to use. If you want to make the outline transparent, select No
Outline.
 4. The shape will appear in the selected outline color.

From the drop-down menu, you can change the outline color, weight (thickness), and whether it is a dashed line.
To add shape effects:
1. Select the shape you want to change.

2. On the Format tab, click the Shape Effects drop-down arrow. In the menu that appears,
hover the mouse over the style of effect you want to add, then select the desired preset
effect.
 3. The shape will appear with the selected effect.

To further adjust your shape effects, select Options at the end of each menu. The Format Shape pane will appear,
allowing you to customize the effects.
To change to a different shape:
1. Select the shape you want to change. The Format tab will appear.

2. On the Format tab, click the Edit Shape command. In the menu that appears, hover the
mouse over Change Shape, then select the desired shape.
 3. The new shape will appear.

Text Boxes
Introduction
Text boxes can be useful for drawing attention to specific text. They can also be helpful when you need to move
text around in your document. Word allows you to format text boxes and the text within them using a variety of
styles and effects.
To insert a text box:
1. Select the Insert tab, then click the Text Box command in the Text group.
2. A drop-down menu will appear. Select Draw Text Box.

3. Click and drag anywhere on the document to create the text box.

4. The insertion point will appear inside the text box. You can now type to create text
inside the text box.
5. If you want, you can select the text and then change the font, color, and size by using
the commands on the Format and Home tabs. To learn more about using these
formatting commands, review our Formatting Text lesson.
 6. Click anywhere outside the text box to return to your document.
You can also select one of the built-in text boxes that have predefined colors, fonts, positions, and sizes. If you
choose this option, the text box will appear automatically, so you will not need to draw it.
To move a text box:
1. Click the text box you want to move.
2. Hover the mouse over one of the edges of the text box. The mouse will change into
a cross with arrows.
3. Click and drag the text box to the desired location.

To resize a text box:

1. Click the text box you want to resize.
2. Click and drag any of the sizing handles on the corners or sides of the text box until it
is the desired size.
Modifying text boxes
Word offers several options for changing the way text boxes appear in your document. You can change
the shape, style, and color of text boxes or add various effects.
To change the shape style:
Choosing a shape style allows you to apply preset colors and effects to quickly change the appearance of your
text box.
1. Select the text box you want to change.
2. On the Format tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Shape Styles group.

3. A drop-down menu of styles will appear. Select the style you want to use.
4. The text box will appear in the selected style.
If you want to have more control over text box formatting, you can use any of the shape formatting options
like Shape Fill and Shape Outline. To learn more, review our Shapes lesson.
To change the text box shape:
Changing the shape of a text box can be a useful option for creating an interesting look in your document.
1. Select the text box you want to change. The Format tab will appear.
2. From the Format tab, click the Edit Shape command.

3. Hover the mouse over Change Shape, then select the desired shape from the menu that
appears.
4. The text box will appear formatted as the shape.
Lesson 22: Aligning, Ordering, and Grouping Objects

Introduction
There may be times when your documents have multiple objects, such as pictures, shapes, and text boxes. You
can arrange the objects any way you want by aligning, grouping, ordering, and rotating them in various ways.

To align two or more objects:

1. Hold the Shift (or Ctrl) key and click the objects you want to align. In our example, we'll select the
four shapes on the right.
2. From the Format tab, click the Align command, then select one of the alignment options. In our
example, we'll choose Align Right.

3. The objects will be aligned based on the selected option. In our example, the shapes are now aligned
with each other.
Note that the Align Selected Objects option is selected by default, which allows you to align objects without
moving them to a different part of the page. However, if you want to move the objects to the top or bottom of the
page, select Align to Page or Align to Margin before choosing an alignment option.
To distribute objects evenly:
If you have arranged your objects in a row or column, you may want them to be an equal distance from one
another for a neater appearance. You can do this by distributing the objects horizontally or vertically.
1. Hold the Shift (or Ctrl) key and click the objects you want to distribute.
2. On the Format tab, click the Align command, then select Distribute Horizontally or Distribute
Vertically.

3. The objects will be evenly spaced from one another.

Grouping objects
At times, you may want to group multiple objects into one object so they will stay together. This is usually easier
than selecting them individually, and it also allows you to resize and move all of the objects at the same time.
To group objects:
1. Hold the Shift (or Ctrl) key and click the objects you want to group.
2. Click the Group command on the Format tab, then select Group.

3. The selected objects will now be grouped. There will be a single box with sizing handles around
the entire group so you can move or resize all of the objects at the same time.
To ungroup objects:
1. Select the grouped object. From the Format tab, click the Group command and
select Ungroup.

2. The objects will be ungrouped.

Ordering objects
In addition to aligning objects, Word gives you the ability to arrange objects in a specific order. The ordering
is important when two or more objects overlap because it determines which objects are in the front or the back.
Understanding levels
Objects are placed on different levels according to the order in which they were inserted into a document. In the
example below, if we move the waves image to the beginning of the document, it covers up several of the text
boxes. This is because the image is currently on the highest—or top—level. However, we can change its level to
put it behind the other objects.

To change an object's level:

1. Select the object you want to move. In our example, we'll select the image of the waves.
2. From the Format tab, click the Bring Forward or Send Backward command to
change the object's ordering by one level. In our example, we'll select Send Backward.
3. The objects will be reordered. In our example, the image is now behind the text on the left, but it's
still covering the shapes on the right.

4. If you want to move an object behind or in front of several objects, it's usually faster to use Bring
Forward or Send Backward instead of clicking the other ordering command multiple times.
 5. In our example, the image has been moved behind everything else on the page, so all of
the other text and shapes are visible.

If you have several objects placed on top of each other, it may be difficult to select an individual object.
The Selection Pane allows you to easily drag an object to a different level. To view the Selection Pane,
click Selection Pane on the Format tab.
To rotate or flip an object:
If you need to turn an object so it faces a different direction, you can rotate it to the left or right, or you can flip
it horizontally or vertically.
1. With the desired object selected, click the Rotate command on the Format tab, then
choose the desired rotation option. In our example, we'll choose Flip Horizontal.
 2. The object will be rotated. In our example, we can now see the bubbles on the left that
were previously hidden behind the text boxes.

Lesson 23: Tables

Introduction
A table is a grid of cells arranged in rows and columns. Tables can be used to organize any type of content,
whether you're working with text or numerical data. In Word, you can quickly insert a blank table or
convert existing text to a table. You can also customize your table using different styles and layouts.
To insert a blank table:
1. Place the insertion point where you want the table to appear.
2. Navigate to the Insert tab, then click the Table command.

3. This will open a drop-down menu that contains a grid. Hover over the grid to select the
number of columns and rows you want.

4. Click the grid to confirm your selection, and a table will appear.
5. To enter text, place the insertion point in any cell, then begin typing.
To navigate between cells, use the Tab key or arrow keys on your keyboard. If the insertion point is in the last
cell, pressing the Tab key will automatically create a new row.
To convert existing text to a table:
In the example below, each line of text contains part of a checklist, including chores and days of the week. The
items are separated by tabs. Word can convert this information into a table, using the tabs to separate the data
into columns.
1. Select the text you want to convert to a table. If you're using our practice file, you can
find this text on page 2 of the document.

2. Go to the Insert tab, then click the Table command.

3. Select Convert Text to Table from the drop-down menu.
4. A dialog box will appear. Choose one of the options under Separate text at. This is how
Word knows what to put into each column.

5. Click OK. The text will appear in a table.

Modifying tables
You can easily change the appearance of your table once you've added one to your document. There are several
options for customization, including adding rows or columns and changing the table style.
To add a row or column:
1. Hover outside the table where you want to add a row or column. Click the plus sign that
appears.

2. A new row or column will be added to the table.

You can also right-click the table, then hover over Insert to see various row and column options.
To delete a row or column:
1. Place the insertion point in the row or column you want to delete.
2. Right-click, then select Delete Cells from the menu.

3. A dialog box will appear. Choose Delete entire row or Delete entire column, then
click OK.
 4. The row or column will be deleted.
To apply a table style:
Table styles let you change the look and feel of your table instantly. They control several design elements,
including color, borders, and fonts.
1. Click anywhere in your table to select it, then click the Design tab on the far right of the
Ribbon.

2. Locate the Table Styles group, then click the More drop-down arrow to see the full list
of styles.
3. Select the table style you want.
 4. The table style will appear.

To modify table style options:

Once you've chosen a table style, you can turn various options on or off to change its appearance. There are six
options: Header Row, Total Row, Banded Rows, First Column, Last Column, and Banded Columns.
1. Click anywhere in your table, then navigate to the Design tab.
2. Locate the Table Style Options group, then check or uncheck the desired options.
 3. The table style will be modified.

Depending on the Table Style you've chosen, certain Table Style Options may have a different effect. You
might need to experiment to get the look you want.
To apply borders to a table:
1. Select the cells you want to apply a border to.

2. Use the commands on the Design tab to choose the desired Line Style, Line Weight,
and Pen Color.
 3. Click the drop-down arrow below the Borders command.
4. Choose a border type from the menu.

5. The border will be applied to the selected cells.

Modifying a table using the Layout tab

In Word, the Layout tab appears whenever you select your table. You can use the options on this tab to make a
variety of modifications.
Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn more about Word's table layout controls.

Align Cell Text

By changing the alignment of your cells, you can control exactly where the text is located. In the example below,
the text has been aligned to the center.

Lesson 24: Charts

Introduction
A chart is a tool you can use to communicate information graphically. Including a chart in your document can
help you illustrate numerical data like comparisons and trends so it's easier for the reader to understand.

Types of charts
There are several types of charts to choose from. To use charts effectively, you'll need to understand what makes
each one unique.
Click the arrows in the slideshow below to learn more about the types of charts in Word.
arrow_back_ios
•
Word has a variety of chart types, each with its own advantages. Click the arrows
to see some of the different types of charts available in Word.

•
Column charts use vertical bars to represent data. They can work with many
different types of data, but they're most frequently used for comparing information.
•
Line charts are ideal for showing trends. The data points are connected with lines,
making it easy to see whether values are increasing or decreasing over time.

•
Pie charts make it easy to compare proportions. Each value is shown as a slice of
the pie, so it's easy to see which values make up the percentage of a whole.
•
Bar charts work just like column charts, but they use horizontal rather than vertical
bars.

•
Area charts are similar to line charts, except the areas under the lines are filled in.
•
Surface charts allow you to display data across a 3D landscape. They work best
with large data sets, allowing you to see a variety of information at the same time.

•
arrow_back_ios
Identifying the parts of a chart
In addition to chart types, you'll need to understand how to read a chart. Charts contain several different
elements—or parts—that can help you interpret data.
Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn about the different parts of a chart.
Inserting charts
Word utilizes a separate spreadsheet window for entering and editing chart data, much like a spreadsheet in
Excel. The process of entering data is fairly simple, but if you're unfamiliar with Excel, you might want to review
our Cell Basics lesson.
To insert a chart:
1. Place the insertion point where you want the chart to appear.
2. Navigate to the Insert tab, then click the Chart command in the Illustrations group.

3. A dialog box will appear. To view your options, choose a chart type from the left pane,
then browse the charts on the right.
4. Select the desired chart, then click OK.
5. A chart and spreadsheet window will appear. The text in the spreadsheet is merely
a placeholder that you'll need to replace with your own source data. The source data is
what Word will use to create the chart.
6. Enter your source data into the spreadsheet.

7. Only the data enclosed in the blue box will appear in the chart. If necessary, click and
drag the lower-right corner of the blue box to manually increase or decrease the data
range.
8. When you're done, click X to close the spreadsheet window.

9. The chart will be complete.

To edit your chart again, simply select it, then click the Edit Data command on the Design tab. The spreadsheet
window will reappear.

Creating charts with existing Excel data

If you already have data in an existing Excel file that you'd like to use in Word, you can copy and paste it instead
of entering it by hand. Just open the spreadsheet in Excel, copy the data, then paste it as the source data in Word.
You can also embed an existing Excel chart into your Word document. This is useful if you know you're going
to be updating your Excel file later; the chart in Word will update automatically any time a change is made.
Read our guide on Embedding an Excel Chart for more information.
Modifying charts with chart tools
There are many ways to customize and organize your chart in Word. For example, you can quickly change
the chart type, rearrange the data, and even change the chart's appearance.
To switch row and column data:
Sometimes you may want to change the way your chart data is grouped. For example, in the chart below the data
is grouped by genre, with columns for each month. If we switched the rows and columns, the data would be
grouped by month instead. In both cases, the chart contains the same data—it's just presented in a different way.
1. Select the chart you want to modify. The Design tab will appear on the right side of the
Ribbon.

2. From the Design tab, click the Edit Data command in the Data group.

3. Click the chart again to reselect it, then click the Switch Row/Column command.
 4. The rows and columns will be switched. In our example, the data is now grouped by
month, with columns for each genre.

To change the chart type:

If you find that your chosen chart type isn't suited to your data, you can change it to a different one. In our
example, we'll change the chart type from a column chart to a line chart.
1. Select the chart you want to change. The Design tab will appear.
2. From the Design tab, click the Change Chart Type command.

3. A dialog box will appear. Select the desired chart, then click OK.
4. The new chart type will be applied. In our example, the line chart makes it easier to see
trends over time.
To change the chart layout:
To change the arrangement of your chart, try choosing a different layout. Layout can affect several elements,
including the chart title and data labels.
1. Select the chart you want to modify. The Design tab will appear.
2. From the Design tab, click the Quick Layout command.

3. Choose the desired layout from the drop-down menu.

 4. The chart will update to reflect the new layout.

If you don't see a chart layout that has exactly what you need, you can click the Add Chart Element command
on the Design tab to add axis titles, gridlines, and other chart elements.
To fill in a placeholder (such as the chart title or axis title), click the element and enter your text.
To change the chart style:
Word's chart styles give you an easy way to change your chart's design, including the color, style, and certain
layout elements.
1. Select the chart you want to modify. The Design tab will appear.
2. From the Design tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Chart Styles group.

3. A drop-down menu of styles will appear. Select the style you want.

4. The chart style will be applied.

For even faster customization, use the formatting shortcuts to the right of your chart. These allow you to adjust
the chart style, chart elements, and even add filters to your data.