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Inserting images in Writer Part 3

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Foreword in part 3

Insert and edit images in Writer consists of 3 parts. This video shows various techniques, how to „Insert Images“ in LibreOffice Writer and links to this page here for more information and details.

The individual topics

Topics related to inserting and editing images in Writer
Part 1 Part 2 Part 3
Basics for inserting images How to create a border Insert images centered in the document
Insert images Insert Images into table cells Inserting a small icon or graphic into a sentence
Check the presets Create Collages Insert a full-page image on the first page of a document
Inserting an image into a Writer table Cut an Image into a Shape ---
Examine a document --- ---

You can find more pictures at: Used images

Link to the Video

Link to the Video (in German [DE]): Einfügen von Bildern in Writer Teil 3 - LibreOffice

Insert images centered in the document

If you are writing documentation, you also want to minimize the effort involved in inserting and labeling images. Specifications for an inserted image can look like this:

  • An image should appear centered between the page margins (image width from approx. 5 cm).
  • There should be a gap at the top and bottom of the next paragraph.
  • There should be no sideways text wrap.
  • The anchoring should include an empty paragraph so that the image with caption frame represents a separate paragraph.

To meet these requirements, an additional paragraph style is required and a frame style must be adapted.

Preparing the Styles

Character style

Since, as already mentioned, an additional paragraph style is required, you will now create this. Open the sidebar in the menu View ▸ Sidebar,
( Ctrl+F5 ). Select the "Paragraph styles" icon in the "Styles" area. Rightclick on the "Default Paragraph Style" paragraph style and select New. Enter a name in the "Paragraph Style" dialog in the "General" tab - Name: "AlignmentCentred". In the "Next style" field, select "Body Text". In the "Alignment" tab select "Center" under "Options“. Click on OK.

Frame style

Now select the "Frame Styles" icon in the sidebar in the icons area above. Rightclick on the "Graphics" Frame style and select Edit Style In the "Frame Style" dialog in the "Wrap" tab, select the "Spacing" for the Top and Bottom. - Top: "0.25 cm" and Bottom: "0.50 cm". Click on OK.

Save as Document template

You may want to save the document with the customized Styles as a Document template.

Inserting a picture

To insert an image, proceed as follows: Place the cursor in an empty paragraph where you want the image to appear. Insert an image, for example by clicking on the "Insert image" icon on the "Standard" toolbar. Select the desired image in the file browser and then click Open. The image is now inserted in your document. Rightclick on the image and select Anchor ▸ As character from the context menu. The image is now positioned on the left and the text on the side is pushed down. Place the cursor to the right of the image and assign the paragraph style "AlignmentCentred" by doubleclicking on it. This will reposition the image centered between the page margins.

Optional caption

Rightclick on the image and select Insert Caption from the context menu. In the "Insert Caption" dialog, select the Category (e.g. "Figure") and enter the caption for the image in the "Caption field. Click on OK. The image is now positioned centered between text paragraphs as a separate paragraph with the definition anchor "As character" and has a lower left-aligned caption.

Inserting a small symbol or graphic into a sentence

For example, if you want to insert a small symbol into a sentence, proceed as follows: Place the cursor in the text at the point where you want to insert the symbol. Select "Insert Image" from the "Standard" toolbar. Insert the image (the symbol). Right-click on the image and select Anchor ▸ To Character from the context menu. Select the inserted symbol so that the anchor is visible. This allows you to drag the anchor and/or the image with the mouse to the paragraph where you want to insert the image. The image may displace the text, but you can fix this step by step.

The next step is to adjust the symbol size to match the font height of the paragraph text. In the sidebar ( Ctrl + F5 ) under "Properties>Position and Size" check the box next to "Keep ratio". Change the height to approximately 0.4 cm (for a font size of 12pt in Liberation Sans). Right-click on the symbol again and select Wrap ▸ Parallel. Use the arrow keys to move the symbol to the desired position in the text (approximately). Right-click on the symbol and select Properties. In the "Image" dialog, select the "Wrap" tab. For "Spacing" enter 0.10 cm for "Left" and "Right" and 0.00 cm for "Top" and "Bottom". Click OK.

Position the symbol using the Alt + Arrow keys. Once the symbol is the correct size and in the correct position, right-click on the symbol and select Anchor ▸ As Character from the context menu. Repeat the fine-tuning for "Up" or "Down" if necessary. If necessary, insert an additional space in the text at the desired location.

Inserting a full-page image on the first page of a document

When creating a book, there is often a desire to place a full-page image on the first page (also known as the cover page). You can achieve this with a separate Page Style, such as the existing "First page" Page Style.

Modifying the "First page" Page Style

You will now modify the "First page" Page Style so that the desired image can be inserted on the entire page. Open the sidebar via the menu View ▸ Sidebar ( Ctrl + F5 ) and click on the "Styles" icon to the right of it ( Ctrl + Alt + 2 ). Click on the "Page Styles" icon at the top of the sidebar. Right-click on the "First Page" Page style and select Edit Style In the "Page Style" dialog, click on the "Page" tab. In the "Margins" area, set all values to 0.00 cm. Click on OK.

Depending on the existing or set printer, you will be asked:

Your settings for the margins are outside the print area.
Would you still like to apply these settings?

Click Yes and save your document.

Insert a picture on the first page

Reopen the document in which the first page is to have a full-page image.

Note:
The image to be inserted should be suitable for a DIN A4 page. (max. 500kB)

Place the cursor on the empty paragraph at the top left of the first page. Doubleclick on the "First page" Page Style. Select Insert ▸ More Breaks ▸ Manual Break from the menu. A page is inserted after the first page, with assignment to the "Default Page Style" Page Style, as this is set as a next style in the "First page" Page Style. Place the cursor back on the empty paragraph at the top left of the first page. Select Format ▸ Page Style from the menu. In the "Page Style" dialog, select the "Area" tab and click on the Image button. In the left area under "Image", click on the Add / Import button. In the file browser, select the desired image for the first page and click Open. In the next dialog, you can confirm or change the name with OK. In the middle of the "Page Style" dialog under "Options>Style", select "Stretched" from the drop-down list. Click on OK. The image should now be inserted on the first page.

Note:
Make sure that View ▸ Images and Charts is switched on.

Save your document.

Further Informations

Work files (in German)

Formatvorlagen - Einstellungen LO7632.ods“ + in EN

"01 Bilder einfügen in Writer-T3 - Arbeitsdatei für Video.odt"

"02 Bilder einfügen in Writer-T3 - Arbeitsdatei für Video.odt"

Used images

Bild_001_k.jpg to Bild_034_k.jpg and GIF_001_k.gif

TDF-Wiki - Inserting and editing images in Writer

Insert and edit images in Writer Part 1
Insert and edit images in Writer Part 2

Topic book for this wiki page (in German)

Bilder einfügen und bearbeiten

Documentation / Manuals

Here you will find the Documentation / Manuals:

Documentation / Manuals

Any questions?

For questions on this topic go to:

Ask.LibreOffice

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