Adding captions in Google Docs takes three clicks

Open your document and right-click the image you want to caption. Select Add caption from the menu. Google Docs creates a text box directly below the image where you can type your caption — it stays attached to the image if you move it around the document.

The caption appears in a smaller font than your body text and sits in its own frame. You can edit it by clicking on the caption text itself, and you can delete it by right-clicking the image again and selecting Delete caption. If you need to move the caption to a different position relative to the image, you'll need to delete it and add a new one — Google Docs doesn't offer a built-in way to place captions above images instead of below.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any image in your document and select Add caption to create a text box that stays attached to that image.
  • Captions automatically format in smaller text and can be edited by clicking directly on the caption text.
  • Google Docs can automatically number captions across your document if you use the caption feature consistently.
  • Captions move with their images, so reorganizing your document won't separate them.

Using automatic numbering for captions

If your document has multiple images with captions, you can set Google Docs to number them automatically. Click into any caption and go to Insert in the menu, then select Special characters. Search for "caption" and you'll see options like "Figure 1" that Google Docs can update across your whole document.

A simpler approach: type "Figure 1" or "Image 1" manually in your first caption, then use the same format for the rest. Google Docs won't auto-update these if you add or remove images, but the consistent format makes your document look professional and is easier to maintain than remembering which number comes next.

Editing and formatting your captions

Click directly on the caption text to edit it. You can make the text bold, italic, or change the font size using the toolbar at the top — the same formatting tools you use for regular text work here. The caption text is separate from your image, so formatting one doesn't affect the other.

If you want all your captions to look the same, format the first one the way you like it, then copy that formatting to the others. Select the formatted caption, copy it, then paste it into your other captions and replace the text. This keeps your document consistent without having to manually format each one.

Captions versus text boxes and alt text

Google Docs offers three ways to add text near an image: captions, text boxes, and alt text. Captions are meant for visible labels that describe what the image shows — they appear in your document and print with it. Text boxes are floating text that you can place anywhere on the page, but they don't stay attached to images the way captions do. Alt text is hidden text that screen readers use; it doesn't appear in your document but helps people using assistive technology understand your images.

Use captions when you want readers to see a description. Use alt text when you want to help screen reader users but don't need visible text. Use text boxes when you need text that floats independently of images — for example, a note in the margin that applies to multiple images at once.

Moving images with captions

When you move an image to a different location in your document, its caption moves with it automatically. This is one of the main advantages of using captions instead of separate text boxes — you don't have to worry about your description getting separated from the image it describes.

If you cut and paste an image into a different document, the caption comes along. If you delete the image, the caption deletes too. This behavior makes captions reliable for documents you plan to reorganize or share with others who might rearrange sections.

Troubleshooting captions that won't appear

If you right-click an image and don't see the Add caption option, the image may be in a text box or positioned as "Wrap text" instead of inline. Click the image once to select it, then go to Image options (the three dots that appear when the image is selected). Under Arrange, make sure the image is set to Inline rather than wrapped or positioned. Once it's inline, the caption option will appear.

Some images pasted from the web or from other documents may not support captions. If you still can't add a caption after changing the arrangement, try downloading the image and uploading it fresh into your document. This usually solves the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put a caption above an image instead of below it?

Google Docs doesn't have a built-in setting to place captions above images. You can delete the caption and add a text box above the image instead, but text boxes don't stay attached the way captions do. For most documents, accepting the caption below the image is simpler than managing separate text boxes.

What happens to captions when I share my document?

Captions appear exactly the same way to anyone you share the document with. They see the same caption text, formatting, and position. If you give someone editing access, they can edit or delete captions just as they can edit other text in the document.

Can I use captions in Google Slides or Google Sheets?

Google Slides has a caption feature that works the same way as Docs. Google Sheets does not have a built-in caption tool — you would need to use a text box or add text in an adjacent cell to label images in a spreadsheet.

Do captions count toward my document's word count?

Yes, caption text is included in your document's word count. You can see your total word count by going to Tools and selecting Word count. The count includes all text in your document, including captions, headers, and footers.