Within a WordprocessingML document, it is possible to include graphical DrawingML objects:

• Pictures (§5.2)

• Locked Canvases (§5.4)

• Diagrams (§5.9)

• Charts (§5.7)

When these objects are present in a word processing document, it is necessary to include information which specifies how the objects shall be positioned relative to the paginated document. [Example: Whether the object is displayed in line with text. end example]

The WordprocessingML Drawing namespace acts in this capacity, specifying all information necessary to anchor and display DrawingML objects within a word processing document.

[Example: Consider a DrawingML picture which shall be displayed in the center of the printed page on which it appears, modifying the flow of text as necessary. This object would be specified as follows:

<w:r>
<w:drawing>
<wp:anchor relativeHeight="10" allowOverlap="true">
<wp:positionH relativeFrom="margin">
<wp:align>center</wp:align>
</wp:positionH>
<wp:positionV relativeFrom="margin">
<wp:align>center</wp:align>
</wp:positionV>
<wp:extent cx="2441542" cy="1828800"/>
<wp:wrapSquare wrapText="bothSides"/>
<a:graphic>
…
</a:graphic>
</wp:anchor>
</w:drawing>
</w:r>

The anchor element (§5.5.2.3) specifies that this object is not positioned in line with text, and its child elements specify that the object is centered on the page horizontally and vertically (§5.5.2.10; §5.5.2.11), and that text can wrap around it in a square (§5.5.2.17). end example]