How to Put Images Side by Side in Google Docs

Inserting photos into your Google Doc is a great way to add something extra to the document, whether the final product will be used for work, school, or personal use. When adding photos to your document, you may be wondering how to put images side by side in Google Docs.

There could be many different reasons why you need to put images side by side, including wanting to save space or to show the differences between the two photos. No matter your reason, knowing how to work with photos in Google Docs is beneficial.

How to Put Images Side by Side in Google Docs

If you’re wondering how to put images side by side in Google Docs, there are two different options to choose from. We’ll walk you through the step-by-step process for each, and you can decide which one works best for you.

Inserting Images Using Text Wrapping

When wondering how to put images side by side in Google Docs, one option you have is to use the text wrapping feature.

Step 1: Open Your Google Doc

The first thing you’ll need to do when moving images so that they are side by side is to open Google Docs.

For documents that have already been created, find the one you want in your files. If you need to create a new one, click the “New” button in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

Step 2: Insert the Images

Before you can move images side by side, they will have to be inserted into the document following these steps:

Click on “Insert” in the toolbar
Pick “Image” from the list
Choose the location from the drop-down menu
Double-click on the image

Repeat these steps until both images are in your document.

Step 3: Resize the Image

If the images are incredibly huge, then to get them side by side, you’ll need to resize them. This is accomplished using the “Image Options” menu that appears on the right side of your screen when you click on the image.

If it doesn’t appear, click on the image and look for the toolbar on the bottom, then click the three lines and then the “Size & rotation” option.

To ensure both images look good and don’t extend beyond your margins, you’ll want them to be about three inches wide.

Step 4: Change the Text Wrapping

It’s possible that once you change the size of your photos, the second one will move on to the same line as the first. If so, then you are done.

However, if it doesn’t, then you’ll need to move it manually. If you are wondering how to move images in Google Docs, the first thing you’ll need to do is change the Text Wrapping for the second image.

Text Wrapping can be found in the “Image options” menu. It’s about in the middle of the screen, and you’ll need to click on the down arrow to expose your choices.

You can choose “In front of text” or “Behind text.”

Step 5: Move the Photo

After changing the text wrapping, you click on the photo and hold down the mouse button. You will then drag the photo to where you want it in your document.

If you are wondering how to overlap images in Google Docs, this will help you do that. The first photo is “Inline with text,” so if you want the second photo over the top, just move it until it is positioned where you want it.

Another option when wondering how to layer images in Google Docs is to choose “Behind text” for the second photo. This will put it behind the first photo.

Some Things to Note About Text Wrapping

If you are asking how to insert a picture in Google Docs without moving the text, changing the text wrapping can help.

It’s important to note that if your image is “In front of text,” any words that are behind it won’t be visible. If your image is “Behind text,” you’ll be able to see the words, but they’ll go over the top of your picture.

Should either of these options work for you, then text wrapping is the answer when you ask how to insert a picture in Google Docs without moving the text.

Using text wrapping can also help you when wondering how to layer images in Google Docs. Instead of layering the photo with another picture, it will be layered on top of or below the words in your document.

How to Overlap Images in Google Docs Using the Drawing Tool

When learning how to put images side by side in Google Docs, another way you can achieve your goal is by using the Drawing Tool, and these are the steps you’ll follow:

Step 1: Open Google Docs

The first thing you’ll need to do when attempting to put images side by side in Google Docs is to open your Google account and the document you want to work in.

If you’ve already created the document, then look for the file in your drive.

For a document that still needs to be created, once you have logged in to your Google account, you’ll then need to hit the “New” button, which is located in the upper left-hand corner of the screen next to a multi-colored plus sign.

Step 2: Insert Your Photos

Once you have the Google Doc open, the next thing you’ll need to do is insert the photographs.

To do this, you’ll need to look for “Insert” in the toolbar at the top of the page. After you click on that, it will open a drop-down menu with a list of choices. Look for “Images,” it’s usually at the top, and click on that.

Another menu will open, asking where the image you want to upload is stored. Pick the appropriate place and click on it. Then, find the photo you want to add to your document and double-click on it.

Follow these steps until both of the images you want to add are in the document.

Step 3: Resize the Photos

After inserting the photos into your Google Doc, they may be incredibly large and take up an entire page. Since you are wondering how to put images side by side in Google Docs, they’ll need to be smaller to achieve this goal, so you’ll want to resize them.

To do this, you’ll need to click on an image and bring up the “Image options” menu. This should appear on the right-hand side of the screen when you highlight the image, but if it doesn’t, there will be a menu bar under the image with three dots, click on that, then click on “Size & rotation.”

Change the size of the photos so that it only takes up a small portion of your document. In general, having the width at three inches should be good. You may be able to push it to three and a half or four inches, but this might go over your margins.

Step 4: Cut One Photo

After you’ve resized the photos, you’ll then want to pick the first one and cut it out of the document.

You can do this by making sure the image is selected and then right-clicking and choosing “Cut,” or you can use the keyboard shortcut of “Ctrl+X” for a PC and “Command+X” for a Mac.

Step 5: Open the Drawing Tool

On the toolbar, click on “Insert,” and when the drop-down menu opens, look for and click on “Drawing.”

Step 6: Paste the Photo

Once the Drawing Tool has been opened in your Google Doc, you’ll then need to paste the photo.

This can be done by right-clicking and choosing “Paste” from the menu, or by typing “Ctrl+V” on a PC or “Command+V” on a Mac.

Step 7: Save and Close

Once the photo has been inserted, you’ll then need to save and close the Drawing Tool.

Step 8: Cut the Other Photo

Once you’re back in your Google Doc, you’ll need to cut the other photo. Follow the instructions from Step 4.

Step 9: Re-Open the Drawing Tool

After you’ve cut the second photo, you’ll need to re-open the Drawing Tool by double-clicking on the first photo.

Step 10: Paste the Second Photo

You can then paste the second photo by following the instructions in Step 6. Click on “Save and Close”

Step 11: Position the Images the Way You Want Them

When you paste the second photo in the Drawing Tool, it may overlap it on the first photo. If that’s the case, and you are asking how to move images in Google Docs, you’ll just need to grab the photo with your mouse and move it. Make sure to hold down the mouse button until the images are in the position you want them in.

If you are wondering how to overlap images in Google Docs, this is one way you can do that. Overlap or line them up as you see fit.

Step 12: How to overlap images in Google Docs | Save and Close

When you are happy with the positioning of your images, you’ll then click the “Save and Close” button in the upper left-hand corner of the Drawing window.

This will automatically place the images in your document.

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Step 13: Resize and Adjust

Depending on the default settings of your Drawing Tool, the images may appear smaller than anticipated. If that’s the case, click on the box around the images to open the “Image options” menu and then resize both of them at the same time.

Typically, to have the images fit in between the margins, you’ll want the box to be 6.5 inches wide.

One of the benefits of using the Drawing Tool is that you can add graphics or text to the images. If you are asking how to move images in Google Docs and want to keep the two of them together, inserting them this way makes it quick and easy for you to move them from one location in your document to another.

Moving Images to Create a Unique and Visually Appealing Document

Being able to add and move images ensures that the essay, business report or newsletter to friends/family looks amazing. When wondering how to put images side by side in Google Docs, there are two different ways to achieve your goal, and if you want to use Text Wrapping, these are the steps you’ll want to follow: