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How to Lock an Image in Microsoft Word

Quick Tips
  • Use Position Lock: Lock an image’s position in Word by selecting it, clicking Layout Options, and choosing Fix position on page.
  • Anchor the Image: Anchor an image to specific text to ensure it moves with the text by right-clicking the image, selecting Size and Position, and enabling Move object with text.
  • Use the Developer Tab: Enable the Developer tab to insert and lock images within content controls for more advanced protection.

Lock an Image Using the Restrict Editing Feature

The restrict editing feature allows users to protect an image using a password. However, using this feature also locks the other contents of the document. Therefore, this method is only advisable where the Word document is shared with external parties and you do not want any changes. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Word on your computer.

Step 2: On the Ribbon tab, select Insert.

select Insert

Step 3: Select Pictures and choose to Insert Picture From your PC, online, or stock images.

Select Pictures

Step 4: Once your Picture is in the document, click the Review tab.

click the Review tab

Step 5: Select Protect and then Restrict Editing. Doing this launches a side panel on the document.

Select Protect

Step 6: From the side panel, tick either or all of the following boxes:

  • Formatting restrictions to limit format style changes to the document.
  • Editing restrictions to allow or disallow certain edit types on the document.
tick either or all of the following boxes

Step 7: Select Yes, Start Enforcing Protection at the base of the menu to launch a dialog box.

Select Yes, Start Enforcing Protection

Step 8: On the dialog box, provide a password for the document and select OK to save your changes.

select OK

Lock an Image Using the Watermark Feature

If you have an image set as your background in Word, this option might be preferable as it ensures the image remains fixed. Here’s how it works:

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Word on your computer.

Step 2: Select Design on the Ribbon.

Select Design

Step 3: Select Watermark from the options available.

Select Watermark

Step 4: Select Custom Watermark.

Select Custom Watermark

Step 5: Select Picture Watermark in the following dialog box, then click Select Picture.

Select Picture Watermark

Step 6: From the new pop-up, select Insert Picture from your preferred source (File, Bing, or OneDrive).

select Insert Picture

Note: The path of your chosen option will be recorded by the Watermark feature.

Step 7: Select OK to save changes.

Select OK

That’s it. The image should reflect as a locked background in your document.

Lock an Image Using the Position Anchor Tool

The Picture Anchor tool ensures the position of an image on a Word document remains fixed.

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Word on your computer.

Step 2: On the Ribbon tab, select Insert.

select Insert

Step 3: Select Pictures and choose to Insert Picture From your PC, online or stock images.

Select Pictures

Step 4: Once your Picture is in the document, right-click on it to reveal a menu.

right-click on it to reveal a menu

Step 5: Select Wrap Text and choose any text wrapping style except In Line with Text, which is the default setting of all inserted images.

Select Wrap Text

Step 6: Select the image, and a semi-circle should appear.

Select the image

Step 7: Select the semi-circle and tick the circle beside Fix Position on Page to ensure your image stays fixed.

Select the semi-circle

Lock an Image Using the Picture Content Control Function of the Developer Tab

The Developer tab is available on Microsoft Word versions 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019. It is also available on Word for Microsoft 365.

Step 1: Launch Microsoft Word on your computer.

Step 2: Place your mouse on the Ribbon and right-click.

Step 3: Click on Customize Ribbon to launch a dialog box.

Click on Customize Ribbon

Step 4: On the Main Tabs menu, scroll down and click the checkbox beside Developer to include it on your Word Ribbon.

Step 5: Click on OK to close the dialog box.

click the checkbox beside Developer

Step 6: Click on the Developer tab now on your Word Ribbon.

Note: Before selecting the Developer Tab, select the image to be locked.

Click on the Developer tab

Step 7: Within the Control Group, select Picture Content Control (represented by an image icon), and your image should be locked.

select Picture Content Control

By locking the images on your Microsoft Word document, you can ensure your document remains organized. Another way to make the images on your Word document organized is by formatting all images to have the same size.

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Last updated on 17 August, 2024

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