How to insert another document in a Word document with latest Word version

Question

How to insert another document in a Word document with latest Word version

Bill Samuel 20

I am trying to insert or attach another document into my current Word file. Microsoft tells you "On the Insert tab in the Text group, select Object." However, the latest update to Microsoft 365 Word does not have a Text group under Insert or Object under Insert, so that this is no longer current. Unfortunately, Microsoft does not usually keep its Help updated to the current version. I need to know how to do it in the current version - Version 2508, Build 19127.20222.

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Answer accepted by question author

Kai-H 28,690 Microsoft External Staff Moderator

Hi @Bill Samuel

Thank you for providing the screenshot. It is extremely helpful and makes the issue very clear.

The "Object" button is right there on your ribbon, but its placement can be easy to miss. Here is exactly what to do based on your screenshot.

How to Insert Another Document (From Your Screenshot)

Go to the Insert tab, just as you have in your screenshot.
Look on the far-right end of the ribbon, in the area labeled Text.
Click the part of the button that says Object (or click the small down arrow next to the word "Object").
This is the key step. Clicking the arrow will give you the two main options.
Select Text from File... if you want to insert the text from the other document directly into your current one.
Select Object... to open the dialog box where you can Embed the entire file or Link to it (as described in the previous guide).

The functionality is all there; it's just accessed through that specific dropdown menu on the Object button within the Text group.

Hope this clarifies your concern.

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Bill Samuel 20 Reputation points

2025-09-21T17:09:42.85+00:00

Thank you. A problem with Microsoft's answer is that there is not an identified "Text group" on the taskbar. There is a section of then taskbar that apparently Microsoft regards as being the "Text group" but it is not so labeled which makes the instructions confusing.
Stefan Blom 354.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-21T17:24:21.3033333+00:00

On the ribbon in the Office apps, commands are collected into groups with labels. This applies to Office for Windows (not to Office for Mac). Groups may be collapsed into drop down menus, depending on the size of the app window (and also depending on the screen size and resolution).

See examples from Word in the screen shot below.

4 additional answers

Your answer

Bill Samuel 20 Reputation points

2025-09-21T17:09:42.85+00:00

Thank you. A problem with Microsoft's answer is that there is not an identified "Text group" on the taskbar. There is a section of then taskbar that apparently Microsoft regards as being the "Text group" but it is not so labeled which makes the instructions confusing.
Stefan Blom 354.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-21T17:24:21.3033333+00:00

On the ribbon in the Office apps, commands are collected into groups with labels. This applies to Office for Windows (not to Office for Mac). Groups may be collapsed into drop down menus, depending on the size of the app window (and also depending on the screen size and resolution).

See examples from Word in the screen shot below.

Answer 1

Stefan Blom 354.6K MVP Volunteer Moderator

Your screen shot shows the Object button with an arrow on the right hand side. Click the arrow to show the Text from File command:

User's image

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Answer 2

Hi @Bill Samuel

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum.

Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, undergo regular interface updates to improve usability and integrate new features. While the core functionality of inserting objects remains, the location of the Object option might seem less obvious if you’re accustomed to older versions. The Text group on the Insert tab still exists in current versions, but its layout or visibility might vary slightly depending on your window size or screen resolution.

You can insert content from another document using a few methods. The best choice depends on whether you want to embed, link, or simply insert the text from the other file.

Inserting Text from a File (Simple Content Insertion)

This method is ideal for directly importing the text content of another Word document into your current file. It does not create a link to the original file nor embed it as a separate object.

Place your cursor where you want the content to appear.
Go to the Insert tab on the Ribbon.
Look for the Text group. (If the ribbon is condensed, you might see an icon like a page with a downward arrow. Clicking it may reveal more options).
Click the part of the Object button that says Object (not just the icon). In many current versions, clicking the arrow (dropdown) under the Object button is key.
From the dropdown menu, select Text from File.
In the dialog box, navigate to and double-click the Word document you want to insert.

The text from the chosen document will flow into your current document at the cursor's location.

Using the Object Dialog (For Embedding or Linking)

This is the classic method for inserting an object. It allows you to either embed another document (making it part of your current file) or link to it (so updates to the source file reflect in your document).

Place your cursor where you want the object to appear.
Go to the Insert tab > Text group > click the dropdown arrow on the Object button.
This time, select Object (the first option in the dropdown, not "Text from File"). This opens the Object dialog box.
In the dialog box, select the Create from File tab.
Click Browse... to locate and select the file you want to attach.
Choose your option:
- To Embed: Ensure the Link to file checkbox is unchecked. The file's content becomes a static part of your Word document.
- To Link: Check the Link to file checkbox. Word will display the content but store a reference to the original file. If the original file is updated, the content in your Word document can be updated too.
(Optional) Check Display as icon to show a clickable icon representing the file instead of its contents.
Click OK.

The document will now be embedded or linked in your current file.

Hope this helps. Feel free to get back if you have other questions.

If the answer is helpful, please click "Accept Answer" and kindly upvote it. If you have extra questions about this answer, please click "Comment."

Note: Please follow the steps in our documentation to enable e-mail notifications if you want to receive the related email notification for this thread.

Suzanne S Barnhill 279.7K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-21T10:07:51.78+00:00

If the document to be inserted is a Word document, then "Text from File" is the correct selection. "Create from File" is necessary only when creating an OLE object from, say, Excel or another application. As the dialog box says, this allows you to edit the inserted object using the UI of the application in which it was created.
Bill Samuel 20 Reputation points

2025-09-21T10:32:28.5866667+00:00

Text from File does not exist in the latest version of Word from Microsoft 365.
Charles Kenyon 171.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-21T22:12:42.5566667+00:00

It does exist in the desktop application. Not the web app.

https://addbalance.com/word/download.htm#MicrosoftWordPrograms

Answer 3

Bill Samuel 20

Here is the screenshot as an attachment. It seemed to insert just copying it in, but apparently it didn't.

User's image

Stefan Blom 354.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-21T14:27:55.6033333+00:00

I fixed the screen shot for you.

Keep in mind that when you paste a screen shot, you must also confirm that you want to add it. Click the Insert image button on the bottom left of your pasted screen shot.
Charles Kenyon 171.4K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2025-09-21T22:17:38.7233333+00:00

Your screenshot shows the ribbon for the Desktop Application. It does have Text from File under Insert > Object. You need to click on the dropdown to see it.

Answer 4

DaveM121 939.6K Independent Advisor

Please select the Insert menu at the top of word and provide a screenshot of the Word window, so I can see your menu layout.

In the meantime, in the search box on the top bar of Word, type mouse, in the resulting drop-down menu, you should see a Mouse/Touch setting, ensure that is set to Mouse, not Touch.

Bill Samuel 20 Reputation points

2025-09-21T10:30:50.7633333+00:00

Here is the screenshot. The Mouse/Touch setting is set to Mouse,
DaveM121 939.6K Reputation points Independent Advisor

2025-09-21T10:33:24.29+00:00

Your screenshot did not come through, please try posting the screenshot again.