Inserting an image

When using Microsoft Word, we can insert images from many different sources. We can use digital pictures that we have taken ourselves, scanned photographs or drawings, and images taken from the Internet.

For this course, we will insert a photo from Adobe Stock. The photo can be downloaded by clicking the Exercise Files button to the right. 

Inserting an image

Let's add a photo of a child playing with LEGO bricks above the "Ten Product Characteristics of LEGO Toys" list. When an image is added, it will be placed wherever the cursor is in the document and will be in-line with the text. We'll place the cursor in the blank line above the list.

The image is placed above the list. However, it is way too big. Let's make some adjustments. 

Adjusting the image's size and position

First, let's resize the image. When the image is selected, we see the border and small resizing handles. We can resize the image by pressing and dragging it in any direction. 

Now that the image is smaller, let's center it on the page.

NOTE: By default, images are set to be in line with the text. There are other text wrap options that give the user more control over the placement of the image. However, these options are not accessible and can not be accessed by readers utilizing screen reading software. 

The image is centered on the page:

Adding alternative text to an image

Images and graphics used in Microsoft Word should be given alternative text that can be read by a screen reader. This is especially important when the image contains content that is essential to the understanding of the text. Microsoft Word makes adding alt text easy.

The Alt Text pane opens: 

In this pane, Microsoft Word has given some instruction on how to write alt text. We can see the Microsoft Word has attempted to add a description of the image. Because the text here will be read by a screen reading program let's make it more detailed and descriptive. 

No noticable change takes place, but the alt text has been added. When screen reading software encounters the image, the text, "A child playing with LEGO Bricks," will be read to the user.