Module – Word Processing

Lesson 4 – Inserting Images, Tables, Shapes and Other Objects

This lesson explains how to insert and manage objects in a document, including images, tables, shapes, charts, text boxes and symbols. These tools help improve the layout, clarity and appearance of documents.

1. Inserting images

Images help illustrate information and make documents more engaging. You can insert images from your computer, online sources or screenshots.

Ways to insert images (Microsoft Word example):

• Insert → Pictures → This Device – add an image saved on your computer.
• Insert → Pictures → Online Pictures – search the web for images.
• Insert → Screenshot – capture a window or screen area.

Image adjustments:

• Resize using corner handles.
• Rotate using the rotation handle.
• Apply picture styles (borders, effects, shadows).
• Crop the image to remove unwanted areas.

2. Text wrapping

Text wrapping determines how text flows around a picture.

Common wrapping options:

• In Line with Text – image behaves like text.
• Square – text wraps around the sides.
• Tight – text wraps closely around the shape.
• Behind Text – image appears behind the text.
• In Front of Text – image covers text.
• Top and Bottom – text appears only above and below.

Text wrapping helps position images more accurately within a document.

3. Inserting tables

Tables organise information into rows and columns, making data easy to read.

To insert a table:

• Insert → Table – choose the number of rows and columns.

Table formatting options:

• Add or remove rows/columns.
• Merge or split cells.
• Apply table styles (colour, shading, borders).
• Sort text in a table.

Table design tips:

4. Inserting shapes

Shapes can be used for diagrams, flowcharts, labels, or highlighting important areas.

Insert → Shapes includes:

• Lines and arrows.
• Rectangles and circles.
• Callouts (speech bubbles).
• Flowchart symbols.

Shape formatting:

• Change fill colour.
• Change outline colour.
• Add text inside shapes.
• Add shadows and effects.

5. Text boxes

Text boxes allow text to be placed anywhere on the page. Useful for:

• Side notes.
• Quotations.
• Labels.
• Brochure or newsletter layouts.

Insert → Text Box

Text box features:

• Move freely on the page.
• Format like a shape (fill, outline, effects).
• Resize and rotate.

6. Charts and SmartArt

Charts represent numeric data visually, while SmartArt creates diagrams.

Insert → Chart includes:

• Bar charts.
• Column charts.
• Pie charts.
• Line charts.

Insert → SmartArt includes diagrams such as:

• Process diagrams.
• Cycle diagrams.
• Hierarchy/organisation charts.

7. Symbols and special characters

Symbols are useful for maths, currency, copyright signs and more.

Insert → Symbol

Common symbols include:

• £ € $
• © ™ ®
• ¼ ½ ¾
• Arrows and maths characters

8. Object positioning and alignment

Word includes tools for aligning and positioning objects neatly.

Useful commands:

• Align Left / Centre / Right.
• Align Top / Middle / Bottom.
• Distribute Horizontally.
• Send to Back / Bring to Front.
• Group – combine objects so they move together.

9. Captions (ICDL requirement)

Captions label images, tables and objects.

References → Insert Caption

Examples:

• Figure 1 – Company Logo
• Table 1 – Sales Data 2024

10. Practical Activity

• Insert an image and apply Square text wrapping.
• Crop an image to remove unwanted space.
• Create a 3×3 table and apply a table style.
• Add a shape and type text inside it.
• Insert a text box and move it to the right side of the page.
• Insert a symbol (e.g., £, © or ™).
• Insert a SmartArt diagram and edit the text.
• Add a caption under an image.