Certified Computer Fundamentals | Wrapping styles

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Wrapping styles


In the context of the Certified Computer Fundamentals exam, understanding wrapping styles is essential for formatting text and images, especially in word processing applications like Microsoft Word or similar programs. Wrapping styles help you control how text interacts with images and other objects in your document, providing better readability and presentation.

In this tutorial, we'll explore wrapping styles in detail, explaining their significance, how to apply them, and how they enhance document design and layout.

What is Text Wrapping?

Text wrapping refers to how text flows around objects (like images, tables, or shapes) in a document. It enables a cleaner and more organized layout, especially when you need to position text and images together without overlapping or cluttering the page.

In Microsoft Word, wrapping styles allow you to define how the text interacts with an object. This feature is widely used to manage text flow around images, graphics, and other non-text elements.

Types of Wrapping Styles in Microsoft Word

Here are the most common wrapping styles available in Word:

1. In Line with Text

  • Description: The object is treated like a regular text character. It is positioned directly within the text flow, causing the text to move around it, similar to how a letter would behave in a sentence.
  • Use Case: This is the default setting when you insert an image or object.

How to Apply:

  1. Insert an image or object.
  2. Right-click on the object and select Wrap Text.
  3. Choose In Line with Text.

Example:

  • Text will move up or down around the image depending on its placement, but it will not flow around the object.

2. Square

  • Description: The text wraps around the object in a square shape, with text flowing on all four sides of the object.
  • Use Case: Ideal for small images or objects where you want the text to surround it evenly.

How to Apply:

  1. Insert an image or object.
  2. Right-click and choose Wrap Text.
  3. Select Square.

Example:

  • The text will flow around the image in a rectangular or square shape.

3. Tight

  • Description: Text wraps closely around the contours of the object, hugging the edges.
  • Use Case: Useful for objects with irregular shapes, such as circular images or diagrams.

How to Apply:

  1. Insert the object.
  2. Right-click and select Wrap Text.
  3. Choose Tight.

Example:

  • The text will flow tightly around the edges of an image, filling all available space around the object.

4. Through

  • Description: This option is similar to "Tight," but allows text to flow through the transparent areas of an object (if the object has transparency).
  • Use Case: Best for complex objects, like logos or watermarked images.

How to Apply:

  1. Insert the object.
  2. Right-click and select Wrap Text.
  3. Choose Through.

Example:

  • If the object has a transparent background, the text will flow through it.

5. Top and Bottom

  • Description: The text will stop at the top and bottom of the object, leaving a gap on either side.
  • Use Case: Perfect for larger objects where you want text only above and below the image, with no text on the sides.

How to Apply:

  1. Insert the object.
  2. Right-click and select Wrap Text.
  3. Choose Top and Bottom.

Example:

  • The text will be displayed above and below the image, but not to the left or right.

6. Behind Text

  • Description: The object is placed behind the text, allowing the text to flow on top of the object.
  • Use Case: Typically used for watermarks, background images, or when you want the text to be more prominent than the object.

How to Apply:

  1. Insert the object.
  2. Right-click and choose Wrap Text.
  3. Select Behind Text.

Example:

  • The object will be in the background, with the text appearing on top of it.

7. In Front of Text

  • Description: The object is placed in front of the text, blocking it from being displayed.
  • Use Case: This is used when you want the object to be the most visible element, often used for decorative purposes.

How to Apply:

  1. Insert the object.
  2. Right-click and select Wrap Text.
  3. Choose In Front of Text.

Example:

  • The object will obscure the text behind it.

How to Adjust Wrapping Styles in Microsoft Word

  1. Insert an Object (Image, Shape, etc.):

    • Go to the Insert tab and choose the object you want to insert (image, shape, etc.).

  2. Select the Object:

    • Click on the object to select it.

  3. Open the Wrap Text Options:

    • Right-click the selected object and click Wrap Text. You will see a dropdown of available wrapping styles.

  4. Choose a Wrapping Style:

    • Select the wrapping style that best fits your document's layout and design needs.

  5. Fine-Tune Object Placement:

    • You can also adjust the position of the object on the page by clicking and dragging it, or by using the alignment tools in the Layout Options menu.

Best Practices for Using Wrapping Styles

  1. Consistency: Keep your wrapping style consistent across similar elements in the document to maintain uniformity.
  2. Spacing: Ensure there’s enough space between objects and text to make your document look clean and professional.
  3. Alignment: Use the alignment tools (left, center, right, etc.) to align images with the text properly.
  4. Avoid Overuse: Too many images with complex wrapping styles can clutter your document. Use wrapping styles thoughtfully.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  1. Using the Default "In Line with Text" for Complex Layouts:
    In some cases, this can make the text look disorganized around images. Consider other wrapping styles like "Square" or "Tight" for better results.

  2. Inconsistent Image Placement:
    Ensure that objects are aligned properly to avoid awkward text flow.

  3. Overcrowding the Page:
    Having too many images with text wrapping can make the document look chaotic. Use whitespace effectively for better readability.

Here's a word about each of the wrapping styles and when you might use them:

  • Square places the graphic in an imaginary box that fits its largest dimensions, and then wraps text around the sides of the image. This style is useful at the beginning of paragraphs if you want a clean edge to the text.
  • Tight has a positioning effect similar to that of Square, but text fits tightly around the edges of the actual image, as opposed to the imaginary box. This style is useful in the middle of a block of text when you don't want white space around the graphic.
  • Behind text places the image behind and showing through text. The graphics layer is underneath the text layer. This style is useful if you have a subtle graphic that doesn't overpower your text. To select a graphic positioned behind text, click the Select Objects button on the Drawing toolbar, and then click the graphic.
  • In front of text places the image in front of text, obscuring it. The graphics layer is on top of the text layer. This style is of limited use because it hides the text.
  • In line with text puts the image inline — not floating — for when you want the image to act as a text character. This wrapping style tends to work best with smaller images because they're less disruptive to the surrounding text.

With floating graphics (depending on the wrapping style), you can use the Horizontal alignment options in the Format Picture dialog box to align the image in the middle of text so that it's surrounded on all sides by text, or you can move it to the left or right margin and surround it with text on three sides.

--Microsoft
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