How to Insert a Picture That Wraps Around a Text Box in PowerPoint

You want to place a picture in your PowerPoint slide so that text flows around it, not on top of it. This effect is called text wrapping, and it is common in word processors but not built into PowerPoint the same way. PowerPoint does not have a true text-wrap property for images placed on slides. However, you can simulate the look of text wrapping around a picture by manually arranging text boxes and pictures. This article explains the limitations of text wrapping in PowerPoint and provides two methods to achieve the visual effect of text flowing around an image.

Why PowerPoint Does Not Support True Text Wrapping Around Pictures

PowerPoint is a presentation application, not a page-layout tool. Its primary goal is to display content on slides in a linear, top-to-bottom or left-to-right flow. Text boxes in PowerPoint are independent containers. When you insert a picture, it sits on a separate layer above or below the text box. You can adjust the picture’s position and size, but the text inside a text box will not reflow automatically to avoid the picture.

In Microsoft Word, the text wrapping feature is part of the document engine that allows inline or floating objects with wrapping styles such as Square, Tight, or Through. PowerPoint lacks this engine. The Send Backward and Bring Forward commands only affect the stacking order of objects, not the text flow inside text boxes. To create the appearance of text wrapping, you must manually split your text into multiple text boxes and position them around the picture.

Method 1: Using Multiple Text Boxes to Wrap Text Around a Picture

This method gives you the most control over the layout. You place a picture on the slide and then create two or three text boxes that sit to the left, right, below, or above the image. The text in each box reads as a continuous paragraph when viewed as a whole.

1. Insert the picture
   Go to the Insert tab and click Pictures. Choose a picture from your device or from stock images. Resize the picture to the desired dimensions and drag it to the approximate position where you want the text to wrap around it.
2. Create the first text box for text on one side
   Go to Insert > Text Box. Click and drag to draw a text box on the left side of the picture. Type or paste your text. Adjust the width of the text box so it ends exactly where the picture starts. Use the alignment guides (red dashed lines) that appear when you drag the text box near the picture edge.
3. Create the second text box for the other side
   Insert another text box on the right side of the picture. Make its left edge align with the right edge of the picture. Type or paste the continuation of your text. Ensure the top edges of both text boxes align so the text appears to flow at the same height.
4. Add a third text box below the picture if needed
   If your text continues after the picture, insert a third text box below the image. Its top edge should touch the bottom of the picture. The text in this box will appear to wrap under the image.
5. Remove text box outlines
   Select each text box. On the Shape Format tab, click Shape Outline and select No Outline. This hides the text box borders so only the text and picture are visible.
6. Fine-tune spacing and alignment
   Select all text boxes and the picture by holding Ctrl and clicking each object. On the Shape Format tab, use the Align tools to align top edges or distribute horizontally if needed. Adjust the internal margins of each text box by right-clicking the text box, choosing Format Shape, then selecting Text Options > Text Box and setting the left and right margins to 0.

Method 2: Using a Table to Create a Wrapped Layout

A table can hold both pictures and text in separate cells, giving you a grid-like layout that mimics text wrapping. This method is faster for simple layouts but less flexible for irregular shapes.

1. Insert a table
   Go to Insert > Table. Choose a grid size that matches your layout. For a picture with text on two sides, use a 2×2 table. For a picture with text on one side only, use a 1×2 table.
2. Place the picture in one cell
   Click inside the cell where you want the picture. Go to Insert > Pictures and select your image. Resize the picture to fit within the cell. You can also drag the cell borders to adjust the column widths.
3. Add text to the adjacent cells
   Click inside the cells next to the picture cell. Type or paste your text. The text will stay within its cell and not overlap the picture.
4. Remove table borders
   Select the entire table. On the Table Design tab, click the arrow next to Borders and choose No Border. The table grid disappears, leaving only the picture and text.
5. Adjust cell padding for better spacing
   Right-click the table and select Format Shape. Go to Text Options > Text Box. Set the left and right margins to 0 for the text cells. For the picture cell, set all margins to 0 to avoid extra space around the image.

Common Issues When Trying to Wrap Text Around Pictures in PowerPoint

Text boxes overlap the picture after resizing the slide

If you change the slide size or zoom level, the positions of your text boxes may shift relative to the picture. To fix this, group all objects. Select the picture and all text boxes by holding Ctrl and clicking each one. Right-click and choose Group > Group. The grouped objects will move and scale together. To ungroup later, right-click and select Group > Ungroup.

Text appears cut off on one side

If the text box is too narrow, words may be cut off or hyphenated awkwardly. Widen the text box slightly, or reduce the font size. Also check that the text box internal margins are set to 0 as described in Method 1 step 6.

The picture covers the text when using Send Backward

If you use Send Backward or Bring Forward to layer the picture behind the text box, the text may become invisible if the picture is opaque. Instead of layering, keep the picture and text boxes on the same layer but position them side by side. Do not use Send Backward for this effect.

Manual Text Box Arrangement vs Table Layout: Key Differences

Item	Multiple Text Boxes	Table Layout
Flexibility for irregular shapes	High — you can position text boxes anywhere around the image	Low — text stays within rectangular cells
Ease of setup	Moderate — requires manual alignment and multiple text boxes	Easy — insert a table and place objects in cells
Text reflow when editing	Manual — you must adjust each text box if text length changes	Automatic — text stays within its cell, but column widths may need adjustment
Best use case	Complex layouts with text on all sides of a picture	Simple layouts with text on one or two sides

PowerPoint does not support native text wrapping around pictures. To create this layout, you must use multiple text boxes or a table. The multiple text box method gives you the most control for complex designs. The table method is faster for simple layouts. Both methods require you to hide text box outlines or table borders for a clean presentation. For future slides, consider saving the grouped objects as a picture or copying the layout to a slide master to reuse the design.