Software
WordArt in Microsoft Word is located in the Insert tab under the Text group, accessible via the WordArt button. For quick access, add it to the Quick Access Toolbar by right-clicking the button and selecting Add to Quick Access Toolbar.
If you're used to older versions of Word, you might be scratching your head—WordArt used to live in the Drawing Tools tab, but Microsoft moved it to the Insert tab years ago for better organization. 💫 The Text group keeps it tucked away neatly, though, so you won’t accidentally trigger it while working on other design elements.
Pro tip: If you use WordArt often, pin the tab or add it to your Quick Access Toolbar to save time flipping through menus.
Here’s a fun fact from my days helping users at Microsoft: many people don’t realize WordArt’s styles are actually linked to the Design tab’s themes. That means changing your document’s theme can instantly update all your WordArt—no extra clicks needed!
It’s a small detail that saves a ton of frustration when you’re tweaking presentations or flyers.
💡 In This Article
- Microsoft Word WordArt Ribbon Location Explained
- How to Customize WordArt for Quick Access
Microsoft Word WordArt ribbon location explained
Microsoft reorganized WordArt's location during the transition from Word 2010 to Word 2013 as part of their "Ribbon Refresh" initiative, designed to streamline workflows by grouping related functions.
The Insert tab was chosen because text-based design elements (including WordArt) align with content creation rather than editing or formatting. 💫 This move also reflected Microsoft's shift toward making design tools more accessible to non-professional users, placing them alongside other text insertion options like headers and footers.
The Text group's position in the Insert tab isn't arbitrary—it follows Microsoft's "content-first" design philosophy. Here's what that means in practice: WordArt appears between Shapes (to its left) and Object (to its right), creating a logical flow from basic text insertion to more complex design elements.
In Word 2019 and 2021, the button maintains this exact placement, though Microsoft 365 users might see slight variations based on their specific language pack or customization level.
What most users don't realize is that WordArt's functionality is deeply integrated with the Drawing Tools tab that appears automatically when you select a WordArt object.
This secondary tab gives you access to advanced formatting options like WordArt Styles, Text Effects, and Transform—features that were previously only accessible from the Drawing Tools tab in older versions.
The key difference is that modern Word hides these advanced tools until you actively engage with a WordArt object, reducing visual clutter.
For users upgrading from older versions, the transition can feel jarring because WordArt used to reside in the Drawing Tools tab alongside other graphic elements. Microsoft made this change to prevent design tools from overwhelming users who primarily work with text.
The trade-off? You'll need to navigate an extra step to access advanced formatting, but this also means the Insert tab remains cleaner for users who rarely need those features. 🔥
Here's how the location varies across versions:
- Word 2013-2016: WordArt appears in the Insert tab's Text group, but the Drawing Tools tab remains separate
- Word 2019/2021: Maintains the same location but with slightly improved button icons
- Microsoft 365: May show WordArt in the Insert tab by default, but some users report it appearing in the Home tab if they've customized their ribbon
The reason for this version variation comes down to Microsoft's "personalized ribbon" feature, which learns from your usage patterns. If you frequently use WordArt from the Home tab, Microsoft 365 might move it there automatically. To prevent this, always pin the Insert tab or add WordArt to your Quick Access Toolbar—this creates a consistent location regardless of Microsoft's learning algorithms. 💛
Pro tip from my Microsoft days: If you're working across multiple Word versions (like using Word 2019 at work and Microsoft 365 at home), create a custom Quick Access Toolbar with WordArt as the first button.
This ensures you'll always find it in the same place, no matter which version you're using. The customization process takes about 30 seconds and saves hours of frustration over time.