The "edit wrap points" in Publisher 2013 don't seem to work. Is there a solution?

The problem here appears to be with several annoying behaviors with respect to the interaction of images and text.

First of all, an image which is set to move with text must be "wrapped" to be "in line" with text. Once that is done, all other wrap functions (square, tight, top and bottom, etc.) are not available. This means that in order to have an image move with text, no wrapping is available. In other words, the image becomes a "character" within the text.  The easiest way to demonstrate the various effects of different wrapping is to select the image, then click Wrap Text on the Arrange Section of the ribbon. Try each wrap setting in the drop down to quickly see the effect.  If you select In Line with Text, then all other options will be greyed out. Just select the In Line option AGAIN to turn it off, then select a different option.

Next, the type of image matters as to the functionality of wrapping. Basically, the image must have an actual transparent background, as a png image file can (if it is saved to preserve transparency). The presumed "empty" area of a jpg or bmp file is actually "white." A gif file will support transparency also, but the over-all resolution may not be pleasing.

If you use a png or gif, then editing wrap points will work. Insert the image, then select it. On the Arrange section of the ribbon, select Wrap Text, then Edit Wrap Points. Publisher will make a best guess as to what they should be. Adjust as you please, then click Wrap Text again, and select Tight. The text will flow to meet the wrap outline. HOWEVER, the image will NOT move with the text. You'll need to drag it to a different location to keep it properly positioned. If you try In Line with Text from the Wrap Text, everything is discarded and the image becomes a "character" within the text. 

This editing wrap points process may also be done with a jpg, bmp or other file with no transparency, BUT the text will NOT reflow. The image will be treated as a rectangle.

There is, however, a work around for that, too. Insert an image and a shape on the pasteboard. Send the image to the back, then drag the shape over it, and edit the wrap points of the shape to surround the part of the image you want the text to wrap to. Drag the shape over the text, and the text will flow around it (if wrapping is set to tight for the shape). Then drag the image (which is in the back) over to appear within the shape. Because the image has been "sent back" the text won't respond to it. But the text does respond to the shape, which roughly outlines the image.

This does not excuse M/Soft from having failed to simply make wrapping work, but it may provide some work arounds until they either fix it, or something better comes along.

Well, here it is April, 2015 and it is  STILL not corrected.  Any word?

I thought we had downloaded our old version...but we have the discs!  The only thing is that my publisher is part of the Office Professional Package.  How can I install that without it going over my new Office 2013?

If I can add it, can I delete everything, but the publisher?

If you have the installation media and the keycode and you have retired the old computer, you can install Publisher 2010 or older on two computers. You can run multiple versions of Publisher without a problem.

When you start the installation you will get the option to use a default or a custom installation. Always choose a custom. You will also get the option to overwrite other Office installations. Be sure to choose the option to keep other installations.

Once you choose the custom installation you will have the option to install into a default directory or folder. Though it is not essential I like to create a custom folder and install there. For example the default is likely to be the Program Files\Microsoft Office folder. Change that to Program Files\Publisher2010 as an example. It will make it easier to manage and help insure that you do not overwrite anything in the other installation. If you choose to use the default location then make note of where you install this version of Publisher as you will need this information later.

At some point you will also get the option of what parts of Office to install. You will want to uncheck everything except Publisher. See this reference and scroll down about half way and you will see the options under the Installations Options tab. http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/17342/upgrade-office-2003-to-2010-on-xp-or-run-them-side-by-side/#comment-107651

Anything you do not want to install you choose the Not Available option. Technically you can run multiple versions of Office but it is best to not install multiple versions of Word or Excel and you cannot run multiple versions of Outlook. I run just one version of Office but 5 versions of Publisher without problems.

Here are some other references for more details:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2121447/en-us

Microsoft Office 2010 -Keep earlier versions of Office programs when installing Office 2010

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/excel-help/keep-earlier-versions-of-office-programs-when-installing-office-2010-HA102597134.aspx

• this article describes how to selectively overwrite or remove some of the Office programs. I would suggest that you keep it simple and run both Pub 2013 and your other version.

All the referenced articles may discuss different versions but the principles are the same.

And finally, if you are running multiple versions of Publisher and prefer the older version to be the default version that opens your *.pub files then you may have to reset the default file association after installing the new version.

First I would suggest if you haven't already that you enable hidden files and show file extensions: Go to Control Panel > Appearance and Personalization > Folder Options > View tab > Advanced settings > check Show hidden files and folders and uncheck Hide extensions for known file types > OK. Now you should be able to identify your *.pub files by the extension.

Right click a *.pub file > Open with and this will bring you to the Open With dialog. If  the newly installed version of Publisher is not listed as 'recommended' or 'other' programs then you need to click the browse button and drill down to where the mspub.exe file is located on your computer. If you took my advice above about installing to a custom folder then it will be:

C:/Program Files/Publisher2010/mspub.exe

If you did not choose a custom folder then it will vary with your installation but you can look:

C:/program files (x86)/microsoftoffice/office14/mspub.exe

or

C:/Program Files/Microsoft Office 2010/Office14/mspub.exe

If you are using Publisher 2007 you might find the file under Office12.

Be sure to check 'always open with this program'.

And if those instructions are not clear then here are some references:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307859

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9154-default-programs-associate-file-type-protocol.html

DavidF