Insert Graphics Easily

Q. I’d like to include a screen graphic with my text occasionally. I know there are all sorts of fancy graphic software programs that help do this, but since I don’t want it very often, is there a way to do it without buying such an application?

A. Windows contains an application that does this—and it’s not much more difficult to use than a third-party product. To begin, locate the button on your keyboard that reads Print Screen SysRq. In the days before Windows, that button actually printed what was on your screen. Not anymore. Now it copies the image on the screen and places it on the clipboard—that temporary storage location you use to copy and move files or data.

You need to know one more thing before learning how to include a graphic with your text. Windows also has a program called Mspaint; you’ll find it at c:program filesaccessories. If you plan to use it often, go into Exploring and drag the icon onto your desktop. Otherwise, you can access it by clicking on Start, Program, Accessories, Paint. The icon looks like this:

If you have the image on your screen you want to copy, press Print Screen. Now go into Mspaint and when it opens, select Edit, Paste and the image will appear. Once there, you can adjust its size and color or even write on top of the image.

The Windows paint application can insert a graphic into a document.

Finally, to place the image in a Word document, position your cursor where you want the image to appear; go to the toolbar and click on Insert, Picture, From File; then go to its location, highlight it and click on Insert. That’s all there is to it.