You need to use tables with 2 rows. One for the caption text and one for the diagram object.

The table can be pinned to the page so that it does not move but text will flow around it in the way you wish.

Table properties

Text Wrapping = around

Positioning

Horizontal and vertical positioning = Relative to page

Move with text = off

You can drag the table to where you want it on the page so that it aligns with the margins/headers. Alternatively you can type numbers into the boxes that appear to give only the options for left/righ/top/bottom etc.



I've attached an example table.

Attached Files

FlowAroundTableExample.docx (12.5 KB, 8 views)

Not really. You can insert the object and its caption in the same cell.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Sorry. I should have made the point that two rows is my personal preference.

Different items in different rows/cells as appropriate.

FWIW, I've added my 5c to that UserVoice forum.

I wouldn't be holding my breath to see any action but if the problem is described accurately enough with some options on how a feature might be implemented then the MS decision makers might be more easily swayed. I think it is important to clarify that 'floating graphics' is the wrong terminology to use to describe your issue. That terminology already has a meaning in Word and distracts the reader from what you really want to do which is reduce vertical white space on the bottom of pages caused by large graphics positioned in text flows.

__________________
Andrew Lockton
Chrysalis Design, Melbourne Australia

Thanks very much. I have found it difficult to express what I wanted and appreciate the help.

Here's a problem I'm facing with figures in tables instead of in the text. When a table splits the text, Word doesn't recognise the text to be flowing past the table. Instead it just makes a line break and then thinks that the middle of the sentence is the start of a new sentence (and suggests capitalising the first letter of the next word). Like I said, it just swaps one set of problems for another.

A wrapped table allows the text to continue around it, much the same as with a wrapped shape object. It's best to create the table in a paragraph of its own, rather than in the middle of an existing one, before moving it into position; otherwise you're liable to end up with the problem you describe.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

I didn't create the table in the middle of an existing paragraph! I move the tables into the text and occasionally the text flows normally and usually this mess happens instead.

In my experience, that would only happen if the table didn't have 'around' wrapping when you moved it.

__________________
Cheers,
Paul Edstein
[Fmr MS MVP - Word]

Have you tried inserting a Drawing Canvas and then adding your images/captions/etc.? A Drawing Canvas makes text wrapping much easier.

Note that for numbered captions, the numbering won't work inside a drawing canvas.

__________________
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP

Microsoft 365 apps for business
Windows 11 Professional