4 Easy Ways to Add Captions to Images in Google Docs

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Easily add subtitles to your pictures in Google Docs

Co-authored by Rain Kengly Reviewed by Luigi Oppido

Last Updated: June 30, 2024

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• Using a Text Box
|
• Using a Table
|
• Using Inline Text
|
• Using the Mobile App
|
• Video

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Do you want to place a caption under an image with Google Docs? With the Drawing feature, you can easily link an image with a text caption that can be moved as one object. You can also use a table or write directly under the image itself using Inline text. When using the mobile app, you'll only be able to use Inline text to put a caption underneath a photo. This wikiHow will show you how to add captions to images in Google Docs using your Windows or Mac computer and your iPhone or Android device.

Things You Should Know

• Insert an image with "Insert" → "Drawing" → "New". Use the Text Box tool to create a box, then enter your text. Click "Save and Close".
• When using a table, create a 1x2 table. Insert an image in the top half and your text in the lower half.
• For Inline text, click your image and select "Inline text". Click the area below to enter your caption.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Using a Text Box

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1. 1
   Open a new document in Google Docs. Do this by clicking the + icon on the Google Docs homepage.

   • You can use Google Chrome, Safari, Mozilla Firefox, or another browser.
   • If you aren't already logged in, click Sign in to do so now or create an account.
2. 2
   Click Insert in the top toolbar. This will be between View and Format.
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3. 3
   Click Drawing, then New. You must insert the image using Google's Drawing tool to add a Text Box caption.

   • You can also click Drive if you want to upload an image from Google Drive.
4. 4
   Click the image icon. This is the square with two mountains inside. A new window will open.
5. 5
   Upload your image. You can drag-and-drop an image from your computer into the field or click Choose an image to upload to browse your files.

   • You can also insert an image by URL, from your albums, or search.
   • Once uploaded, your image should appear in the Drawing tool window.
6. 6
   Click the Text Box icon. This is the T inside of a box with four squares at the corners.

   • Your cursor will change into a +.
7. 7
   Create your Text Box. Click the area underneath the image and drag towards the right to create a text box. You can adjust the size after.

   • Use the eight squares along the sides of the Text Box to adjust its size and length.
8. 8
   Align your Text Box. Google Docs will indicate the left, middle, and right side of the image by a red line.

   • Drag your Text Box until you see the red line in the middle of the image and text field.
9. 9
   Enter your text. This is the text that will be your image's caption. If you have a long caption, it will stay within the Text Box.

   • If you need to edit your text style, select all your text by dragging and highlighting. You can also use CTRL + A (Windows) or CMD + A (Mac).
   • Change the font by clicking the down arrow and selecting a new one. Change the size by clicking the - or + icon.
   • If you want the text to appear in the middle, click ••• in the top-right corner of the Drawing window. Click the Align icon, then Center.
10. 10
    Click Save and Close. This is the blue button in the top-right of the window.

    • The image and caption will be linked together.
    • You can move the image or rotate the image freely.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Using a Table

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1. 1
   Open a new document in Google Docs. Do this by clicking the + icon on the Google Docs homepage.
2. 2
   Click where you want your image to be. You can always add text before or after the table.
3. 3
   Click Insert in the top toolbar. This will be between View and Format.
4. 4
   Click Table, then make 1x2 table. Do this by highlighting two cubes—one on top of the other.

   • You'll see 1x2 below the squares.
5. 5
   Insert your image into the first field. You can drag-and-drop your image into Google Docs from your desktop.

   • You can also click Insert → Image and select your preferred upload method.
6. 6
   Enter your text. This is the text that will be your image's caption. If you have a long caption, it will stay within the table field.

   • If you need to edit your text style, select all your text by dragging and highlighting.
   • Change the font by clicking the down arrow and selecting a new one. Change the size by clicking the - or + icon.
   • If you want the text to appear in the middle, click the Center Align icon. This looks like centered lines of text.
7. 7
   Remove the borders. Right-click the table and select Table properties.

   • Tap the Color section to expand the drop-down menu.
   • Set Table border to 0 pt.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using Inline Text

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1. 1
   Open a new document in Google Docs. Do this by clicking the + icon on the Google Docs homepage.

   • This method will not link text to your image, so you'll need to move both separately.
2. 2
   Insert your image. You can drag-and-drop your image into Google Docs from your desktop.

   • You can also click Insert → Image and select your preferred upload method.
3. 3
   Click the image. Options will appear below the image, on the left side.
4. 4
   Select the "In-line text" icon. This should be the first icon, on the left.
5. 5
   Click the space below the image. This will allow you to type underneath the image.
6. 6
   Enter your text. This is the text that will be your image's caption. If you have a long caption, it will follow the rules of your document's margins. Click the blue arrows on the top ruler to adjust the margins.

   • Use the toolbar to change your font style and size.
   • If you want the text to appear in the middle, click the Center Align icon. This looks like centered lines of text.
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Using the Mobile App

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1. 1
   Open a new document in the Google Docs app. Do this by tapping the + icon on the Google Docs homepage, then tapping New document.

   • Google Docs is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.
   • If you aren't already signed in, tap Sign in to do so now, or create an account.
   • This method will not link text to your image, so you'll need to move both separately.
2. 2
   Insert an image. Tap the + at the top, then tap Image. You can choose to upload From photos or From camera.

   • Select your photo, then tap Add.
3. 3
   Tap the image, then tap the "Text wrap" icon. This is the icon to the left of the Photos icon.
4. 4
   Select Inline. This will allow you to type underneath the image.
5. 5
   Tap the space underneath the image. You may need to tap the right of the image then Return to insert a new line.
6. 6
   Enter your text. This is the text that will be your image's caption. If you have a long caption, it will follow the rules of your document's margins.

   • Use the A icon to change your font style and size.
   • If you want the text to appear in the middle, tap the Center Align icon. This should be on the right side of the toolbar located above your keyboard.
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