What is the Anchor symbol in a Microsoft Word document

The anchor is a symbol that sometimes appears when you insert an image, or a SmartArt, or a drawing into a Word document.

By default, the anchor will only appear when you insert a picture, clipart, or SmartArt and then ‘Wrap text.’

In Word say 2013, you have the option of wrapping text in a specific way. When you wrap the text, an anchor will appear next to the image. Now, if you put the clicker on that anchor, a description will appear, letting you know that this picture is anchored to the text at this specific location or paragraph in the document. Now, if you were to try to move this paragraph, this picture would move with it.

Suppose you want to keep the picture fixed to one location or position. You can click it, and wrapping options will appear. Here, you can pick ‘Fix position on page.’ If you were to try moving the paragraph (put the cursor at the beginning of the section and press enter), the picture would no longer move with the paragraph.

If you were to move the paragraph to another page, the picture would move too, but to the exact location on a new page.

You also have the option of locking the anchor

Locking the anchor means that even if you keep changing the position of the image, it stays anchored to a specific paragraph. You will also notice that the anchor symbol will remain to the left of the start of the paragraph, regardless of the picture’s position.

When you unlock the anchor, the picture is no longer anchored to a specific location or paragraph and will remain next to the image.

Removing the anchor

1.    Open Word

In the top left corner, go to ‘File.’

2.    Go to ‘Options’

When you go to ‘File,’ a list will appear. Go to options at the bottom.

3.    Go to ‘Display’

A pop-up window will appear. Go to ‘Display.’

Under ‘Always show these formatting marks on the screen,’ uncheck or make sure the option ‘Object Anchors’ is unchecked.

Now, when you insert an image or object, the anchor will not appear.

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