Place Text on Images in Microsoft Word (Easy Step-by-Step Guide)

Adding text over an image in Microsoft Word is a skill that seems complicated at first. However, it becomes very simple once you understand how Word handles images and text.

Whether you’re creating worksheets, posters, classroom resources, or revision guides, newsletters, or displays, you’ll use this formatting skill repeatedly.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through two reliable methods for placing text over an image in Word. I will explain why Word behaves the way it does. I will also show you how to avoid the most common mistakes that frustrate users.

Contents hide

1 How to Add Text Over an Image in Microsoft Word

2 Method 1: Add Text Using a Text Box (Best for Paragraphs)

3 Method 2: Add Text Using WordArt (Best for Titles & Headings)

4 Final Thoughts

Watch the Video Tutorial

If you prefer to see this in action, the full video walkthrough is below, showing each method step by step.

How to Add Text Over an Image in Microsoft Word

Step 1: Insert Your Image Properly

Before adding text, you need your image placed correctly.

Steps:

Open a new Word document
Click Insert
Select Pictures
Choose the location of your image (or paste an image if copied)
Find your image and click Insert

Screenshot showing the Insert Picture From menu in Microsoft Word with options for This Device, Stock Images, and Online Pictures — The Insert Picture From menu in Microsoft Word lets you add images from your computer, stock library, or online sources.

Resize the image using the corner handles (not the side handles, which distort it).

Resizing an image in Microsoft Word by dragging the corner handles — Drag the corner handles to resize an image while keeping proportions.

At this stage, you’ll notice you can’t move it freely. That’s normal.

Step 2: Change Text Wrapping (This Is the Key Step)

If you skip this, nothing else will behave properly.

Steps:

Click the image
Go to Picture Format
Select Wrap Text
Choose In Front of Text or Behind Text

Microsoft Word Wrap Text menu showing the Behind Text option selected for an image — Set an image to appear behind text using the Wrap Text menu in Microsoft Word.

Now the image can be:

Dragged anywhere
Layered with text
Used as a background

Re-centering the Image

If your image ends up off-centre:

Click Picture Format → Align → Align Center

Using the Align Center option in Microsoft Word to center an image on the page — Using the Align Center option to position an image centrally in Word.

This resets it neatly on the page.

Method 1: Add Text Using a Text Box (Best for Paragraphs)

Insert a Text Box

Go to Insert
Click Text Box
Choose Simple Text Box
Type your text
Resize the box to fit the content

Selecting the Simple Text Box option in Microsoft Word to add text over an image — Choosing the Simple Text Box option to add text over an image in Word.

Text box added over an image in Microsoft Word displaying the text "I love Elephants!" — Example of a text box placed over an image in Microsoft Word.

Format the Text

Change font and size from the Home tab
Drag the corners if text spills outside the box

If the text doesn’t fit:

The box is too small
Drag the corner handles until everything sits on one line or block

Make the Text Box Transparent (Essential)

At this point, the image is hidden behind a white box. Here’s how to fix that.

Steps:

Click the text box
Go to Shape Format
Select Shape Fill → No Fill
Select Shape Outline → No Outline

Microsoft Word Shape Format tab showing Shape Fill set to No Fill for WordArt text over an image — Set Shape Fill to No Fill to remove the background behind WordArt text placed over an image.

Microsoft Word Shape Format tab showing Shape Outline set to No Outline for WordArt text over an image — Set Shape Outline to No Outline to remove the border around WordArt text placed over an image.

Now:

The image shows through
Only the text remains visible

You can still move the box freely over the image.

Method 2: Add Text Using WordArt (Best for Titles & Headings)

Insert WordArt

Go to Insert
Click WordArt
Choose a style (the first option is transparent)
Type your text
Resize the WordArt box

Microsoft Word Insert tab showing WordArt options and text added over an image — Use WordArt to add styled text over an image directly within a Microsoft Word document.

Align and Position

Click Align → Center to centre it
Drag corners to increase text size before increasing font size

Avoid these and save yourself frustration:

Forgetting to change text wrapping
Leaving text box fill turned on
Stretching images from side handles
Not checking contrast between text and image

Final Thoughts

Once you understand how text wrapping works in Microsoft Word, adding text over an image stops being a headache. It becomes a quick, repeatable skill. You might use a text box for longer information. Alternatively, use WordArt for bold titles. The process is the same every time. Free the image, place the text, and format it properly. Master this once and your documents, worksheets, and posters instantly look more polished and intentional.