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How to Remove Anchor In Word (Easy & Quick)

February 18, 2024 14.0K views

Anchors play a crucial role in enhancing document credibility and readability by highlighting essential aspects and providing evidence and sources. Inserting an anchor in Word is a straightforward process that adds structure to your content. However, removing anchors might be a bit tricky, causing users to get lost in the process. In this guide, we will provide easy-to-follow steps on how to remove anchors in Word, ensuring a seamless editing experience and maintaining the integrity of your document.

Remove Anchor In Word

Remove Anchor In Word

Introduction to Anchor in Word

  • What is the anchor in Word?

The anchor in Microsoft Word is like a connection point. It helps keep pictures or shapes attached to specific words in your document. This way, when you edit or move things around, your pictures stay in the right place next to the text.

Imagine you're working on a report, and you add a picture next to a paragraph. The anchor is like the invisible string tying the picture to that paragraph. If you move the paragraph, the picture moves with it, always staying close to the words it's linked to.

Microsoft Word Anchor text

Microsoft Word Anchor text

  • The Benefits of using anchor in Word

  1. Precise Positioning: Anchors allow you to precisely position images or objects within your document. By linking them to specific points in the text, you have control over their placement, ensuring a professional and organized layout.

  2. Consistent Formatting: Using anchors helps maintain consistent formatting. When you anchor an object to a certain part of the text, it ensures that the object stays associated with that text even if you make changes elsewhere in the document. This is especially useful for creating documents with a polished and uniform appearance.

  3. Efficient Document Editing: Anchors make document editing more efficient. When you need to add or remove text, the anchored objects automatically adjust their position accordingly. This streamlines the editing process and minimizes the need for manual adjustments, saving time and effort.

  4. Improved Document Structure: Anchors contribute to a more organized document structure. Whether you're working on a report, presentation, or any other document, using anchors helps in seamlessly integrating visual elements with the written content, enhancing overall document clarity and coherence.

How to Remove Anchor in Word (2 easy ways)

There are two distinct ways for users to modify Word document object anchors: either by simply removing the anchor icon or by deleting the anchor entirely from the Word document. Let's explore these options.

  • Disable anchor showing in the Word

When inserting images and wrapping text around them, the anchor icon aids in proper formatting. However, note that this icon doesn't persistently appear. Removing it won't impact the anchoring feature in Microsoft Word. So, in this section, let's explore how to remove the anchor in a Word document.

Step 1: In your document, when you click on an image, you may notice the presence of the Anchor icon on the left side and the Layout Options icon on the top right of the image.

Step 2: To eliminate the Anchor icon, navigate to the "File" menu.

Microsoft Word anchor icon

Microsoft Word anchor icon

Step 3: Within the "File" menu, click on the "Options" tab to access display features.

Microsoft Word file menu

Microsoft Word file menu

Step 4: In the Options window, navigate to the "Display" tab. Here, uncheck the "Object Anchor" checkbox and click on "OK".

Microsoft Word Objects Anchor option

Microsoft Word Objects Anchor option

Step 5: You will now observe that without affecting the anchoring of your image to the selected text, the Anchor icon has been disabled.

Microsoft Word remove objects anchor icon from word document

Microsoft Word remove objects anchor icon from word document

This process allows for the removal of the Anchor icon while preserving the anchoring functionality in your Microsoft Word document.

  • Remove the Anchor Icon

The second method involves deleting the anchor from the Word document entirely by changing the layout of the image:

Step 1: Click on the image in your Word document, and then click on the Layout Options icon to display different layout options.

Step 2: To delete the anchor, choose the "In Line with Text" option from the layout options.

Microsoft Word In Line with Text Layout option

Microsoft Word In Line with Text Layout option

Step 3: This option may slightly disrupt your document formatting, but adjustments can be made accordingly. However, it will effectively delete the anchor from the Word document.

Microsoft Word delete anchor from Word Document

Microsoft Word delete anchor from Word Document

This method is useful when you prefer the image not to move around with the anchored text.

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WPS Writer

WPS Writer

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How to Download WPS Office

Step 1: Open your web browser and navigate to the WPS Office website. This website serves as your portal to unlocking the vast potential of this powerful productivity suite.

WPS Office Homepage

WPS Office Homepage

Step 2: Locate the easily identifiable "Free Download" button, typically found in the central or top right-hand corner of the homepage. Click on this button to initiate the download process.

WPS Office Download

WPS Office Download

Step 3: Head over to your downloads folder and hunt for the mysterious "wps_wid.cid" setup file. Once you've tracked it down, click on it to embark on the WPS Office installation.

WPS Office installation file

WPS Office installation file

Step 4: To continue the installation, locate the little checkbox beside the terms and conditions. Click on it to indicate your acceptance, then proceed to click on the prominent "Install Now" button.

WPS Office Install now

WPS Office Install now

Step 5: After a successful installation, WPS Office automatically launches. This grants you immediate access to its diverse collection of productivity tools, empowering you to manage your tasks with ease.

WPS Office interface

WPS Office interface

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FAQs

Q1. Why is there an anchor on my Word document?

The anchor symbol in the left margin of your Word document signifies that a specific object, be it an image, text box, or table, is linked to a particular point within the text.

Q2. How to insert anchors in Word?

To insert an anchor in a Word document, follow these steps:

Step 1: Select the text to act as the anchor point.

Step 2: Go to the Insert tab, click "Bookmark", and assign a unique name.

Microsoft Word Bookmark option

Microsoft Word Bookmark option

Step 3: Click on an image, text, or object you want to link to the anchor text.

Step 4: Go to the Insert tab, click "Link" to anchor text.

Microsoft Word Link option

Microsoft Word Link option

Step 5: In the Insert Link window, choose "Place in this Document", select the bookmark as the anchor text, and click "OK”.

Microsoft Word anchor link

Microsoft Word anchor link

Now, clicking on the link will navigate to the anchored text.

Q3. How do I edit an Anchor Tag?

To edit the anchored tag, follow these steps:

Step 1: Right-click on the anchored text to open the context menu.

Step 2: Click "Edit Hyperlink" to edit the anchor text.

Microsoft Word Edit hyperlink

Microsoft Word Edit hyperlink
Microsoft Word Edit hyperlink

Step 3: In the Edit Hyperlink window, modify the link or remove the hyperlink to the anchored text, then click "OK".

Microsoft Word edit anchor tag

Microsoft Word edit anchor tag

Remove Anchors With Ease

Word has revolutionized document creation, enhancing productivity and refinement. However, the journey to creating exceptional content should never be halted. If you encounter challenges in removing an anchor, our comprehensive guide on how to remove anchor in Word is here to assist you.  Download WPS Office to simplify the process and take your productivity to new heights.


15 years of office industry experience, tech lover and copywriter. Follow me for product reviews, comparisons, and recommendations for new apps and software.