Working with images and shapes in word processing software like Microsoft Word or Google

Docs can enhance the visual appeal and functionality of your documents. Here's a detailed
guide on how to insert, format, and manipulate images and shapes.

1. Inserting Images in Word Processing

Microsoft Word:

1. Insert an Image:
o Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon.
o Click Pictures.
o You can choose to:
 Insert from File: Select an image stored on your computer.
 Online Pictures: Search for images from the web using Bing or from your
OneDrive account.
o Once selected, the image will appear in your document.
2. Insert a Screenshot:
o Go to Insert > Screenshot.
o You can either take a screenshot of an active window or insert an available
screenshot from recent windows.

Google Docs:

1. Insert an Image:
o Click Insert > Image.
o You can:
 Upload from your computer.
 Search the web directly in Google Docs.
 Insert from Google Drive or Google Photos.
 Use your device's camera or insert an image via URL.

2. Formatting Images

Once an image is inserted into your document, you can modify its size, position, and
appearance using various formatting tools.

Resizing Images:

 Click the image, and small handles (dots or squares) will appear around the edges.
 Drag the corners to resize while maintaining the aspect ratio.
  Drag the side handles to stretch or compress the image.

Wrapping Text Around Images:

To control how text flows around the image:

 Microsoft Word:
o Click the image to select it.
o Click Layout Options (appears next to the image).
o Choose how the text wraps (e.g., Square, Tight, Behind Text, In Front of Text,
etc.).
 Google Docs:
o Click the image, then click Text Wrapping options at the bottom of the image.
o You can choose In-line, Wrap text, or Break text.

Cropping an Image:

 Microsoft Word:
o Select the image, then go to the Format tab.
o Click Crop and drag the black handles to remove unwanted parts of the image.
 Google Docs:
o Select the image, then click Crop from the toolbar.
o Drag the black handles to crop.

Image Borders and Effects:

 Microsoft Word:
o Select the image, then go to the Format tab.
o You can add Borders, Shadow, Glow, Reflection, and other effects.
 Google Docs:
o Select the image, and use the Border color tool in the toolbar to add a border.
You can also adjust the weight and style of the border.

3. Inserting Shapes in Word Processing

Microsoft Word:

1. Insert a Shape:
o Go to the Insert tab.
o Click Shapes, and a dropdown will appear with various shapes such as
rectangles, circles, arrows, lines, flowchart symbols, etc.
o Select a shape, then click and drag on your document to draw it.
 2. Editing and Customizing Shapes:
o Resize: Click the shape, and drag the handles to resize.
o Rotate: Use the rotation handle (green circle) to rotate the shape.
o Fill Color: Go to the Format tab, and click Shape Fill to select a color.
o Outline Color: Use Shape Outline to change the border color of the shape.
o Shape Effects: Add shadow, reflection, or 3D effects by selecting Shape Effects in
the Format tab.

Google Docs:

1. Insert a Shape:
o Go to Insert > Drawing > New.
o In the drawing window, click the Shape icon, and choose from various shapes.
o Draw your shape, then click Save and Close to insert it into the document.
2. Editing Shapes in Google Docs:
o Once the shape is inserted, double-click the shape to edit it again in the drawing
tool.
o You can resize, rotate, and change the fill and border colors within the drawing
tool.

4. Positioning and Grouping Objects

Positioning Images and Shapes:

To move images and shapes around the document:

 Microsoft Word:
o Use the Position tool in the Format tab to place the image or shape in a specific
part of the page (e.g., Top left, Center, Bottom right).
o You can also drag the object to a new position while holding down the left
mouse button.
 Google Docs:
o Drag the image or shape to the desired location. Use Wrap text or Break text to
control text behavior around the object.

Grouping Objects:

If you want to group multiple images or shapes together so they act as a single object:

 Microsoft Word:
o Select multiple shapes/images by holding Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) while
clicking each item.
 o Go to the Format tab, and click Group to group them together.
 Google Docs:
o Grouping is only available in the Drawing tool. You can group shapes and objects
within that tool before inserting them into the document.

5. Additional Features

Insert Captions for Images (Microsoft Word Only):

To add a caption below an image:

1. Right-click the image and select Insert Caption.

2. Enter the caption text, and Word will automatically label the image (e.g., “Figure 1”).

Insert SmartArt (Microsoft Word Only):

SmartArt provides pre-built shapes and diagrams for processes, hierarchies, and other visuals.

1. Go to the Insert tab.

2. Click SmartArt, choose a category (e.g., Process, Cycle, Hierarchy), and select a layout.
3. Customize the SmartArt by adding text to the shapes.