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How to Wrap and Flow Text Around Objects in PowerPoint Slides

Adding images, shapes, and other visual elements to your PowerPoint slides can greatly enhance your presentation. However, getting text to flow nicely around these objects can be tricky since PowerPoint lacks a built-in text wrapping feature.

In this article, we’ll explore several methods to mimic text wrapping in PowerPoint, allowing you to create polished, professional slide layouts.

Use Text Boxes to Manually Wrap Text

The easiest way to simulate text wrapping in PowerPoint is by using strategically placed text boxes around your images or shapes. Here’s how:

  1. Insert the object (image, shape, etc.) you want to wrap text around and place it where desired on the slide.
  2. Select Insert > Text Box and draw a text box next to one side of the object.
  3. Type your text into the text box. Manually press Enter to create line breaks and position text around the object.
  4. Repeat steps 2-3 to add text boxes on the remaining sides of the object. Format and align boxes as needed.

While this method takes more manual effort, it allows full creative control over text placement. You can continue to edit text and modify layouts on the fly.

Import Wrapped Text from Word

If you have PowerPoint 2013 or later, you can utilize Word’s text wrapping feature and import the wrapped content into PowerPoint.

  1. Open a blank Word document and insert the image you want to wrap text around.
  2. With the image selected, go to Format > Wrap Text and choose a wrapping style.
  3. Type your text; it will automatically wrap around the image based on the wrapping format chosen.
  4. Save and close the Word file when finished.
  5. In PowerPoint, select Insert > Object > Create from File and choose the Word file you just created and saved.

This method allows you to wrap text quickly without manually creating breaks. However, if you later edit the Word doc, you’ll need to re-import the updated version into PowerPoint.

Use PowerPoint’s Wrap Text Feature

In PowerPoint 2021, Microsoft introduced a new Wrap Text feature for shapes and text boxes. Here’s how to use it:

  1. Insert a shape or text box on your slide.
  2. Type your text into the shape/box.
  3. Select the shape and go to Format Shape > Text Options.
  4. Under Text Wrap, choose either Wrap text in shape or Wrap text in shape contour.
  5. Insert your image on top of or behind the textbox. The text will automatically wrap around the contours of the shape.

This feature streamlines the text wrapping process. You can continue to edit and format text as needed while maintaining the wrapped contours around images.

Tips for Polished Text Wrapping

  • Use high resolution images so they remain crisp and clear when enlarged
  • Wrap text tightly around shapes using contour wrapping to mimic standard text wrapping features
  • Be strategic when placing wrapped text boxes near images so text flows logically
  • Break up lengthy text into multiple wrapped text boxes so text doesn’t become too condensed
  • Experiment with text box margins, indents, and internal margins to refine wrapped text appearance
  • Align wrapped text boxes evenly for a clean, professional layout

Text Wrapping Ideas and Examples

Below are just a few examples of effective text wrapping designs in PowerPoint:

  • Wrap bulleted lists or captions tightly around circular images
  • Flow paragraphs of text around rectangular images, shapes, charts, etc.
  • Integrate text seamlessly into shaped diagram elements
  • Mimic magazine or newspaper layouts with text framed creatively around multiple images
  • Shape text to curve smoothly around custom shapes and illustrations

The possibilities are endless! Use the techniques covered in this guide as a springboard for unique text wrapping configurations that elevate your slide designs. With a bit of creativity, you can craft professional, polished layouts that captivate audiences.

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