How to Insert and Resize Images in Word

Adding Images to Word Documents

Pictures can make your documents more engaging and easier to understand. Here is how to insert and work with images in Microsoft Word.

Inserting Images

From Your Computer

• Click where you want the image
• Go to the Insert tab
• Click Pictures
• Select This Device
• Browse to your image file
• Click Insert

From Online Sources

• Click where you want the image
• Go to Insert > Pictures
• Select Online Pictures
• Search for an image or browse categories
• Select an image and click Insert

Note: Check copyright before using online images in work documents.

From the Clipboard

If you have copied an image from another source:

• Click where you want the image
• Press Ctrl + V to paste

Resizing Images

Using Corner Handles

• Click the image to select it
• Drag a corner handle to resize
• Using corner handles keeps the image proportions correct

Important: Avoid dragging the side handles, as this stretches the image and makes it look distorted.

Using Exact Measurements

• Click the image
• Go to the Picture Format tab
• In the Size group, enter specific Height and Width
• Click the lock icon to maintain proportions

Resizing to a Percentage

• Right-click the image
• Select Size and Position
• In the Scale section, enter a percentage
• Make sure "Lock aspect ratio" is checked
• Click OK

Positioning Images

Text Wrapping Options

When you insert an image, it is "In Line with Text" by default, meaning it sits in a line of text. You can change this:

• Click the image
• Click the Layout Options icon (appears beside the image)
• Choose a wrapping style:

- In Line with Text: Image sits in the text line - Square: Text wraps in a square around the image - Tight: Text wraps closely to the image shape - Behind Text: Image sits behind the text - In Front of Text: Image covers the text

Moving Images

Once you change wrapping from "In Line":

• Click and drag the image to move it
• Drag to the position you want
• Green alignment guides help you centre

Aligning Images

• Select the image
• Go to Picture Format tab
• Click Align
• Choose alignment options (left, centre, right, top, bottom)

Formatting Images

Applying Styles

• Click the image
• Go to the Picture Format tab
• Browse the Picture Styles gallery
• Click a style to apply (frames, shadows, reflections)

Adding a Border

• Click the image
• Go to Picture Format tab
• Click Picture Border
• Choose a colour
• Click Weight to change border thickness

Adding Effects

• Click the image
• Go to Picture Format tab
• Click Picture Effects
• Choose from Shadow, Reflection, Glow, Soft Edges, etc.

Cropping Images

Remove unwanted parts of an image:

• Click the image
• Go to Picture Format tab
• Click Crop
• Drag the crop handles to select what to keep
• Click outside the image or press Enter

Crop to Shape

• Click the image
• Go to Picture Format > Crop dropdown
• Select Crop to Shape
• Choose a shape (circle, star, etc.)

Adjusting Image Quality

Brightness and Contrast

• Click the image
• Go to Picture Format tab
• Click Corrections
• Choose a brightness/contrast option

Colour Adjustments

• Click the image
• Go to Picture Format tab
• Click Color
• Choose colour saturation, tone, or recolor options

Compression (Reduce File Size)

If your document is too large because of images:

• Click an image
• Go to Picture Format tab
• Click Compress Pictures
• Choose resolution (email is smaller, print is larger)
• Apply to all pictures if desired
• Click OK

Tips for Working with Images

Use High-Quality Images

• Low-resolution images look blurry when printed
• For print documents, use at least 300 DPI images
• For screen viewing, 96-150 DPI is usually fine

Keep Proportions

• Always resize using corner handles
• Stretched images look unprofessional
• Check "Lock aspect ratio" in size settings

Consider File Size

• Many images can make your document very large
• Compress images if emailing the document
• Delete images you do not need

Alternative Text

Add descriptions for accessibility:

• Right-click the image
• Select Edit Alt Text
• Enter a description of the image
• This helps screen readers describe the image

Need Help?

For Word training or document formatting help, contact helpdesk@netlumait.com.au or call 1300 521 162.