How to make text flow around tables in Word

Tables are useful in Microsoft Word when organizing information, comparing details, creating forms, or presenting data in a clean layout. By default, Word usually places a table in line with the surrounding document content, which means the text appears above and below the table instead of flowing around it. For many documents, that default layout is fine. However, when a table is small or needs to sit beside a paragraph, wrapping text around the table can make the page look cleaner and more professional.

Microsoft Word includes a built-in text wrapping option for tables. The setting is found in Table Properties, where users can choose whether nearby text should wrap around the table or stay separate. Microsoft explains that selecting Around under text wrapping allows nearby text on the page to wrap around the table, and the Positioning option can be used to control the layout more precisely.

Why Wrap Text Around a Table in Word?

Wrapping text around a table is useful when the table does not need to take up the full width of the page. Instead of leaving empty space beside a narrow table, Word can allow paragraph text to flow next to it. This creates a more compact layout and can make the document easier to read.

This is helpful for:

• Reports
• Newsletters
• Business documents
• Product sheets
• School assignments
• Instruction guides
• Comparison notes
• Forms
• Brochures
• Resume layouts

For example, a small pricing table, schedule, checklist, or summary table can sit beside a paragraph instead of pushing the text below it. This can save space and improve the overall design of the document.

How to Wrap Text Around a Table in Microsoft Word

The easiest way to wrap text around a table is through the Table Properties menu. This method works in the desktop version of Microsoft Word and gives more control than simply dragging the table around the page.

To wrap text around a table in Word:

1. Open the Word document.
2. Click anywhere inside the table.
3. Right-click the table.
4. Select Table Properties.
5. Open the Table tab.
6. Under Text wrapping, choose Around.
7. Click OK.

After this setting is applied, the surrounding text will move around the table instead of staying only above and below it. How-To Geek also describes this same method: right-click the table, open Table Properties, choose Around, and then adjust the table if needed.

How to Move the Table After Wrapping Text

After enabling text wrapping, the table can be moved into a better position. Click the table, then drag it to the left, right, or another area of the page. Word will adjust the surrounding text based on where the table is placed.

This is useful when the table needs to appear beside a specific paragraph. However, line breaks, paragraph spacing, and page layout can affect where the table lands. If the table does not sit exactly where expected, use the positioning settings instead of relying only on dragging.

How to Adjust Table Positioning

For more control, use the Positioning button inside Table Properties. This option becomes available after Around is selected under text wrapping.

To adjust table positioning:

1. Right-click the table.
2. Select Table Properties.
3. Open the Table tab.
4. Make sure Around is selected.
5. Click Positioning.
6. Adjust the horizontal and vertical position.
7. Set the distance from surrounding text.
8. Click OK.
9. Click OK again to close Table Properties.

The positioning window allows the table to be placed relative to the column, margin, page, or paragraph. It also allows spacing to be set around the table, including top, bottom, left, and right distance from surrounding text. Microsoft notes that table wrapping can be made more precise through Positioning in the Table Properties dialog box.

How to Add Space Between the Table and Text

If the text appears too close to the table, increase the distance from surrounding text. This spacing prevents the document from looking crowded and makes the layout easier to read.

To add space around the table:

1. Right-click the table.
2. Choose Table Properties.
3. Select Positioning.
4. Find Distance from surrounding text.
5. Increase the top, bottom, left, or right values.
6. Click OK.

A small amount of spacing is usually enough. Too much spacing can make the layout look uneven, while too little spacing can make the text feel cramped.

How to Align the Table

The Table Properties window also allows the table to be aligned to the left, center, or right. Alignment is useful when the table should stay on one side of the page while text wraps around it.

To align the table:

1. Right-click the table.
2. Select Table Properties.
3. Open the Table tab.
4. Under Alignment, choose Left, Center, or Right.
5. Click OK.

A right-aligned table often works well when text should flow on the left side. A left-aligned table works well when the table should appear before the paragraph text. Center alignment can work for design layouts, but it may leave less room for readable wrapped text.

When Text Wrapping Does Not Work Correctly

Text wrapping around a table works best with smaller tables. If the table is too wide, too tall, or longer than one page, Word may not wrap text the way expected. A Microsoft Answers discussion notes that if a table is longer than one page, text wrapping may not work as expected. In that case, the table may need to be resized, split, or set back to normal wrapping.

If wrapping does not look right, try these fixes:

• Make the table narrower.
• Use AutoFit to Window.
• Reduce column width.
• Remove unnecessary columns.
• Set text wrapping back to None.
• Add spacing around the table.
• Move the table to a better paragraph location.
• Use section breaks for complex layouts.

For large tables, it is usually better to keep the table on its own line instead of wrapping text around it.

How to Turn Off Text Wrapping

If the layout becomes messy, text wrapping can be turned off.

To stop text from wrapping around a table:

1. Right-click the table.
2. Select Table Properties.
3. Open the Table tab.
4. Under Text wrapping, choose None.
5. Click OK.

This returns the table to the normal layout where text appears above and below it. If Word keeps switching the table back to Around, the table may be too wide for the page margins. In that case, resize the table first, then try setting text wrapping to None again. Microsoft Answers discussions explain that a table wider than the printable area can behave like a floating table and may need to be shrunk before it stays inline.

Best Practices for Wrapping Text Around Tables

Text wrapping can improve a document, but it should be used carefully. If the table is large, detailed, or important, placing it on its own line is usually better. Wrapped tables are best for small supporting information that does not interrupt the main flow of the page.

For the best results:

• Use wrapping only with small tables.
• Keep enough space between text and table.
• Avoid wrapping around full-page tables.
• Use positioning settings for precise placement.
• Keep table width smaller than the page text area.
• Preview the document before printing or exporting.
• Check the layout after editing nearby paragraphs.

This helps prevent tables from jumping, overlapping, or creating awkward text flow.