4 Brilliant Methods to Caption an Image in Google Docs

Inserting images in Google Docs is easy. Just head to the menu bar, click “Insert,” and choose “Image” before selecting where to source the picture from.

However, what if your professor or client asks you to provide captions for the photos you insert in Google Docs? 

Do you know how to do it?

If you’re one of the few (or many) who aren’t sure what to do to caption an image in Google Docs, stay here and keep reading.

 

How to Caption an Image in Google Docs

One way to caption an image in Google Docs is to use the “In Line” text wrap option. Another way is to add a text box under the photo in the “Drawing” tool. Third, you can add a “1 x 2” table. Lastly, you can install a Google Docs add-on called “Caption Maker.” 

 

Captioning Images in Google Docs — 4 Easy Methods to Remember

Again, most of us would probably think that there’s only one way to caption an image in Google Docs.

But, like overlapping images in Google Docs, there are different ways of achieving the same feat. 

You only need to find the one that works best and is the most efficient for the workflow that you have.

So, let’s start with the easiest one.

 

Method 1: Captioning Images in Google Docs with Caption Maker

For those who are unfamiliar with Google Add-ons, these are tools that you can seamlessly integrate to help you out with your writing.

And, one of those nifty add-ons is Caption Maker.

From the name itself, Caption Maker aims to place captions on the images you inserted in Google Docs.

However, you cannot insert a specific text for the images you want to caption; the photos will only be labeled by number.

But, if you don’t mind having this minor setback, then here’s how you use Caption Maker:

Step 1: In case you haven’t installed Caption Maker yet, head to the menu bar and select “Add-ons.”

Step 2: In the dropdown menu that appears, click “Get add-ons.”

You’ll then see a dialog box listing all the Google add-ons that you can integrate into the word processing tool.

Step 3: Type “Caption Maker” in the dialog box’s search bar. Once the tool appears, click it.

Then, follow the prompts that appear to fully install “Caption Maker” into Google Docs.

Step 4: After successfully adding the “Caption Maker” add-on, head back to the “Add-ons” tab on the menu bar and click it.

Then, select “Caption Maker.” Click the “v” icon to activate the second dropdown menu.

Step 5: Once the second dropdown menu appears, choose the “Start” option.

A dialog box will then appear to show you options for captioning your images.

Step 6: Select “Show options” button to format the captions you’ll eventually add to the images. 

You can even add captions to the tables you moved in Google Docs to make everything in the document more organized.

Just tick the “Images and Drawings” and “Tables” boxes for you to edit the caption format.

Step 7: If you’re good to go with your captions, click the blue “Captionize” button.

With those 7 steps, you’re able to insert captioned photos in Google Docs. 

But, if you prefer adding a more specific caption other than plain numbers, the second method might be the one for you.

 

Method 2: Use “In Line” Text Wrap Tool to Caption Google Docs Images

Step 1: After inserting the photo you want to add to your Google Docs document, click on it.

You’ll then see small blue arrows surrounding the entirety of the image. 

But, other than highlighting the photo, you’ll also see the “Text Wrap” menu activated. 

Step 2: In the “Text Wrap” menu, you’ll see 5 text wrapping options.

Among the 5 choices presented, select the “In Line” text wrap option.

Step 3: After selecting the “In Line” text wrap, place the cursor below the image for you to start typing the caption.

After encoding the caption, format it by adjusting its alignment, size, and style from the toolbar.

Very simple, right? With only 3 steps, you’re able to add captions to your images in Google Docs by adjusting their text wrapping.

But, the one setback this method has is that you can’t easily move the photo in your Google Docs document.

Yet, if you feel the need to move around the photos you added and captioned, this second method is the one for you.

 

Method 3: Captioning Images in Google Docs with the Drawing Tool

Who says the “Drawing” tool in Google Docs is for free-form drawing and adding of special characters only?

Well, you’ll now discover that you can caption an image in Google Docs using the very same tool.

Step 1: In the Google Docs document you opened, scroll down and place the blinking cursor in the location where you want to insert the image into.

Step 2: Once the cursor’s in place, head to the menu bar and click “Insert.” A dropdown menu will then appear.

Step 3: Click the “Drawing” button in the options listed in the dropdown menu. Then, select the “>” button to activate another dropdown menu beside it.

Step 4: In the second dropdown menu, choose the “New” button. This move will then make the “Drawing” window appear.

Step 5: Once you’re in the “Drawing” tool window, head to the toolbar and select the “Image” button. 

You’ll then be asked to choose where to source your photo from — “Upload,” “Search for,” or “Add the URL for the image.”

For example purposes, I’ll go with the “Upload” option.

Step 6: After clicking “Upload,” wait for Google Docs to import the image from your device.

Once the picture’s inserted and you’re done editing it, head to the toolbar again and click the “Text box” icon this time.

Step 7: You’ll then see a “+” type of cursor appear instead of the usual arrow one. Hence, you can now begin drawing the text box.

So, as captions usually are found at the bottom of the image, I’ll draw the text box there. 

But, you can add the text box to the bottom area of the photo itself and adjust its color and transparency to make it blend seamlessly with the picture.

Step 8: After drawing the text box, encode the caption you want for your photo. 

Format the caption’s font style, size, and color in the font options available in the toolbar.

After typing the caption inside the text box, move the text box by dragging it where you want it to appear (if you haven’t done this in Step 7).

Step 9: If you’re okay with how the picture and its caption look, click the “Save and Close” button.

You’ll then see the newly-captioned image inserted in the part of the document where you placed the cursor earlier.

Do note, though, that the caption will stay with the picture even if you move the latter to another location in the document.

But, if you think the third method’s too complicated, then the fourth one below might be what you’re looking for.

 

Method 4: Captioning Images in Google Docs by Using a “1 x 2” Table

Step 1: In the Google Docs document you opened, scroll down until you find the area where you want the image with its caption placed.

Once you locate it, place the blinking cursor in that area.

Step 2: Head to the menu bar and select “Insert.” Then, click the “Table” option in the dropdown menu that appears.

Step 3: Hover the cursor over the “>” button in the “Table” option to choose how many rows and columns you’ll add.

Since you won’t really be using a table with its usual functions, choose a “1 x 2” table. 

“1 x 2” means that the table you’ll create has 1 column and 2 rows or cells.

Step 4: After creating your table, put the blinking cursor in the top row or cell. 

Then, insert the photo you want to use following the usual process of inserting images in Google Docs.

If, however, the picture you’ll use is already in the document, click and drag the said image to the top cell of the table.

Step 5: Now, place the blinking cursor in the bottom cell of the table you created and encode the caption in it.

You can even adjust its alignment, font size, and style if you head to the toolbar after highlighting it.

Step 6: Now, right-click the table and select “Table Properties” in the dropdown menu.

Step 7: In the “Table Properties” pop-out window, head to the “Color” section, then click “Table border.”

Select the “v” button, and choose “0 pt.” 

This makes the border of the table invisible so that you can only see the image with its caption.

And, like captioning an image with the “Drawing” tool, you can move the photo without worrying about the caption being left behind.

Now that you know all these techniques in captioning images in Google Docs, which among the four are you inclined to use?

 

Frequently Asked Questions about How to Caption an Image in Google Docs

 

Where can you install the “Caption Maker” tool from?

The “Caption Maker” tool is an app that allows Google Docs users to add captions to all the images in the document at once as numbers. To install this, head to “Add-Ons,” > “Caption Maker” > “Start” in the dropdown menu.

 

What methods can I use if I want the caption to move together with the image I inserted in Google Docs?

If you want to ensure that the caption stays with the image when you move it, use the “Drawing” tool and the table insertion technique when adding captions to the photos.