I must admit that I don't understand the default behaviour, but I likewise don't understand your comment about "where there is no text in the way". If the wrap format changes to 'in front of text', that means the text goes behind the shapes and, so, can't be in the way. Granted, it may be visible behind the ungrouped shapes, but that has no effect on whatever re-arranging of the shapes you're doing.

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Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]