This tutorial shows how to insert shapes in Microsoft Word. Shapes include circles, squares, rectangles, arrows, lines, hearts, flowchart symbols, banners, and speech bubbles.
In addition, we will change the shape color, outline, and effects such as shadows and reflections. Then, we will place shapes behind text and other objects.
Sometimes shapes placed behind text or other objects can be difficult to select, so we will also look at how to select them regardless of their location.
Table of Contents:
- How to Insert Shapes
- How to Change the Shape Color, Outline, and Effects
- How to Place Shapes behind Text and Other Objects
- How to Select Shapes behind Text or Other Objects
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The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac (a.k.a. Word for Mac), Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.
How to Insert Shapes
- Select the Insert tab.
- Select Shapes in the Illustrations group.
- Select a shape from the drop-down menu.
- Your cursor will become a pointer with two crossed lines. Click and hold the pointer as you drag the shape onto the page.
- Use the resizing handles to adjust the size as necessary.
How to Change the Shape Color, Outline, and Effects
- Click the shape to select it. (The resizing handles shown in figure 5 will appear when the shape is selected.)
- Select the Shape Format tab if it is not already selected. This tab only appears when a shape or text box is selected.
- Select the Shape Fill menu arrow in the Shape Styles group.
- Select a color from the drop-down menu.
- (Alternative) Select More Fill Colors to open the Colors dialog box that provides advanced options including text boxes to enter RGB, HSL, and Hex codes.
- Select the Shape Outline menu arrow in the Shape Styles group.
- Select a color from the drop-down menu.
- (Alternative) Select More Outline Colors to open the Colors dialog box that provides advanced options including text boxes to enter RGB, HSL, and Hex codes.
- Select Weight to choose an outline thickness.
- (Optional) Select Sketched to choose an outline that looks hand drawn.
- (Optional) Select Dashes to choose a dashed or dotted outline.
- (Optional) Select Shape Effects to add additional options such as shadows, reflections, and beveled edges. Note that some of these options will alter your color and outline choices, so you may have to experiment to achieve the desired results.
How to Place Shapes behind Text and Other Objects
By default, shapes are positioned in front of the text and can be dragged anywhere in the document. However, you can place shapes behind text and other objects.
PC Users
- Click the shape to select it.
- Select the Shape Format tab if it is not already selected (see figure 6).
- Select the Send Backward menu arrow in the Arrange group.
- Select an option from the Send Backward menu:
-
- Send Backward sends the shape back one level.
- Send to Back places the shape behind all other objects.
- Send Behind Text places the shape behind the body text. This option doesn’t place the shape behind header or footer text.
Mac Users
- Click the shape to select it.
- Select the Shape Format tab if it is not already selected (see figure 6).
- Select Arrange.
- Select the Send Backward menu arrow.
- Select an option from the Send Backward menu:
-
- Send Backward sends the shape back one level.
- Send to Back places the shape behind all other objects
- Select Wrap Text followed by Behind Text to place the shape behind the text.
The shape now should be positioned behind your text or other objects.
How to Select Shapes behind Text or Other Objects
- Select the Layout tab in the ribbon.
- Select Selection Pane in the Arrange group.
- Select the shape in the Selection pane on the right side of your screen.
The shape should be selected in the text and the Shape Format tab should appear in the ribbon.
Related Resources
How to Insert and Modify Images in Microsoft Word
How to Make Microsoft Word Faster by Hiding Images
Update July 21, 2023