How to Use the Picture Toolbar in Microsoft Word 2003

The typewriter has been obsolete for more than two decades now thanks to intuitive word processing programs. It seems that with every year that passes, the makers of this software release newer versions, adorned with features never before seen. One such feature that was added to Microsoft Word 2003 was that of the picture toolbar, allowing users to import, manipulate and edit images into their documents as desired.

Things You'll Need

• Microsoft Word 2003

Instructions

1. Open the picture toolbar. To make sure that the picture toolbar is open you will need to scroll to the “View” tab on the command bar and then left-click on “Toolbars.” In the submenu that opens, make sure to left-click on “Picture.” This will open the picture toolbar so you can use it. If the “Picture” selection is already checked, that means the picture toolbar is already viewable on the command bar or elsewhere.

2. Insert an image using the picture toolbar. The picture toolbar has 14 buttons on it, but you will be able to easily recognize it by looking for the icon that has the shape of a dog on it. To insert a picture using this toolbar, left-click on the icon that has the shape of a mountain over a sun on it; it will open up a file browse menu where you can select an image to be imported from your computer.

3. Use the picture toolbar icon to edit your image. Once the desired picture has been imported, you can use the double-columned button to change the color attributes by selecting the desired setting from the menu that opens when you click on the icon.

4. Change or adjust the contrast. There are two contrast icons that appear as a circle, which is colored half black and half white. One button decreases contrast and the other increases it.

5. Change the brightness. The two icons that have a sun, and an up or a down arrow on them will increase or decrease brightness.

6. Rotate the image. You can rotate the picture using the icon that looks like two triangles.

7. Change the line style. If you prefer different line styles, click on the icon with the three black lines and choose the desired line styles.

8. Choose the image compression levels. To compress the picture, click on the icon that has a box with four arrows, one on each corner, and select the desired compression levels from the submenu that opens.

9. Set the text wrap options. To change the way that the picture wraps around text, click on the dog icon and then make your selections from the menu that opens.

10. Format the picture. To use this feature left-click on the icon that has a paint bucket and brush on it and then select what you like from the menu that opens.

11. Set the transparent color. To use this feature click on the icon that has a brush with a downward pointing arrow on it. Then select what you like from the submenu that opens.

Tips & Warnings

• Microsoft Word 2003 comes with an included clipart gallery that has hundreds of useful pictures in it which you can legally use.

• You can reset the changes you have made to the image by left-clicking on the grayed out button that has a left pointing arrow on it.

• Make sure that you have permission to use any pictures that you download from the Internet.