Images: Learn It 1 – Adding Images

  • Insert images.
  • Change image layout options.

 

To add an image, put your cursor where you want the image to appear (at the beginning of a paragraph is a good place). Then go to Insert>Pictures.

A Microsoft Word document has been opened and it is zoomed in on the ribbon menu. There is a large magenta arrow pointing to the pictures option underneath the "Insert" tab.

A window will pop up to let you choose a picture saved on your computer.

A microsoft word document in the background with text is open. In front of the document a file finder has been opened allowing you to search for images on this pc. In the file name box "kingfisher" has been entered.

A Microsoft Word document is open with text on it. On the document an image of a colorful kingfisher is visible.

The image will appear where you placed your cursor. You can click and drag the image to anywhere within the text.

Alt text (alternative text) is a written description of an image that is included in the HTML code of a webpage. This text is displayed in place of the image if the image fails to load and is read aloud by screen readers used by people who are visually impaired. Alt text ensures that all users, regardless of their ability to see images, can understand the content and purpose of the images on a webpage.

Importance of Alt Text:

  1. Accessibility: Alt text makes digital content accessible to users with visual impairments who rely on screen readers to understand web content.
  2. SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Search engines use alt text to index images properly, which can improve the ranking of a webpage in search results.
  3. Content Understanding: Alt text provides context for images, helping all users better understand the content, especially when images do not load due to technical issues.

For more detailed guidelines on writing effective alt text, you can read more at Perkins School for the Blind.

You may recognize a lot of these controls from the text boxes section, such as the resize dots at each side and corner that you can use to increase or decrease the size of the image.

To maintain the proportions of the image, hold down the Shift key while clicking and dragging a corner.

You can also rotate the image by clicking and dragging the circular arrow at the top of the image.