Getting rid of an anchor in Microsoft Word indicates that you are dealing with objects like pictures, shapes, or other graphics that are positioned ‘With Text Wrapping’ and not in line with text. The anchor symbol signifies the attachment of these objects to a specific paragraph. To remove the anchor, you should change the text wrapping options or remove the object itself. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get rid of an anchor in Word.
Step 1: Select the Object
First, click on the object (picture, shape, text box, etc.) that is associated with the anchor you want to remove. Once selected, you should see a border around the object, and the anchor icon will appear on the left side of the document.
Step 2: Change Text Wrapping Style
Change the text wrapping style of the object by following these steps:
- With the object selected, go to the ‘Format’ or ‘Picture Format’ tab on the Ribbon. The tab’s name may vary depending on the type of object you have selected.
- Click on the ‘Wrap Text’ button. You’ll see a list of text wrapping options here.
- Select ‘In Line with Text’ to anchor the object to the text. The anchor symbol should now disappear since this option does not require an anchor.
Step 3: Move the Object
After changing the text wrapping style, you might need to reposition your object. Click and drag the object to the desired location in your document.
Step 4: Deleting the Object
If you want to completely remove the object and consequently get rid of the anchor, you can simply select the object and press the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard.
Troubleshooting: Hidden Objects
If you see an anchor but no object, it could be that the object is formatted as hidden. Try these troubleshooting steps:
- Click ‘Home’ on the Ribbon.
- Click on ‘Select’ in the Editing group and choose ‘Select Objects’.
- Drag your cursor over the area of the document where you suspect the hidden object is located. If there’s an object there, it should now be selected.
- Once selected, press the ‘Delete’ key or change the text wrapping style as described above.
Final Tips
Sometimes, even when you’ve moved or deleted an object, the anchor may still appear because the object is still associated with the paragraph. Ensure that you’re not in ‘Draft’ view, as anchors are not visible in that view mode and therefore cannot be managed. If you continue to have issues, check whether there are any additional objects that you might have missed, and repeat the steps above for those objects.
Annotation Triggers
If after following these steps the anchor symbol persists, it’s possible there are some specific settings or issues with your document. If this is the case, or if you encounter different scenarios, please upload the document, and I will provide further instructions tailored to your situation.