4 Ways to Add Arrows or Text to Photos on Windows

Quick Tips

• You can use the Markup option in the default Microsoft Photos app.
• You can also use MS Paint and MS Paint 3D to draw an arrow and add text to an image.
• For more tools and features, you can use a third-party tool like PhotoScape or Lightshot.

Method 1: Using Microsoft Photos

The Microsoft Photos app is a fantastic tool to view and edit a picture on a Windows computer. You can also use it to add arrows to a picture. Sadly, it doesn’t let you add text to a photo.

Step 1: Open the desired photo in the Microsoft Photos app. You can double-click on any photo to open it in the Photos app as it is the default app.

Step 2: Click on the Edit icon at the top.

Step 3: The Microsoft Photos editor will open. Click on the Markup button at the top.

Step 4: Double-click on any of the first two pencils.

A pop-up window will show up. Select the arrow style (single-side, double-side, or wavy arrow) that you want to add. Change the color and size of the arrow using the available options.

Step 5: Then, draw the arrow on the image using your mouse.

Step 6: Click on the Save as copy button to save the image with the arrow as a new picture. Your original picture will remain unaffected.

Method 2: Using MS Paint

If you enjoy using the traditional MS Paint app, you can use it to add arrows and text to pictures on your Windows PC.

Step 1: Launch MS Paint on your computer.

Step 2: Click on the File option and select Open.

Step 3: Choose the image on which you want to add an arrow or text.

Step 4: Once the image loads in MS Paint, click on the arrow shape pointing in the preferred direction from the Shapes section.

Step 5: Use the customization options like color, size, outline, and fill styles in the toolbar to customize your arrow. If you enable fill style, select the second color option and choose the desired color.

Step 6: Finally, draw the arrow on your picture at the desired position. Please note that you cannot move the arrow after creating it.  

Step 7: To put text on your picture, click on the ‘A‘ button.

Step 8: Draw a text box using the mouse on the image. Use the text formatting toolbar to customize the text font, size, alignment, and background fill options.

Step 9: When done, click on File > Save as and select the desired image format to download the edited image on your Windows computer.

Tip: Learn how to put a transparent image over a picture in Paint

Method 3: Add Arrow or Text to Images Using Paint 3D

If MS Paint feels a bit outdated, you should use its upgraded version Paint 3D to edit photos.

Step 1: Open the Paint 3D app on your Windows PC.

Step 2: Click on Menu.

Step 3: Click on Open followed by Browse files. Then, select the desired image.

Step 4: Once the image opens in the editor, click on the 2D Shapes button in the top toolbar.

Step 5: Click on the shapes icon in the right sidebar to see the available shapes. Select Arrow from the list.

Step 6: Draw the arrow and drag it to the desired position.

Step 7: Use the Color button in the right sidebar to set the line and fill in the color and style of your arrow.

Step 8: Click on the three-bar icon at the right to rotate or flip the arrow. Alternatively, click on the semi-circle icon on the arrow to rotate it.

Note: Do not click anywhere outside the arrow when you are editing the arrow.

Step 9: To add text, click on the Text button in the top toolbar. However, don’t draw a text box yet on the image.

Step 10: Click on the ‘T‘ button in the right sidebar and select the text box style from 2D or 3D. Also, click on the Filter button and customize the text font style, size, and alignment.

Step 11: Now, draw a text box on the image and enter your text in it. If you face any problems, check out our complete guide on how to add and customize text in Paint 3D.

Step 12: Finally, click on Menu > Save as > Image to download the image with arrow and text to your computer.

Method 4: Using Free Third-Party Apps

If the above methods don’t suit your needs, you can try free third-party apps to add arrows or text to your pictures on a Windows computer.

Some of the good photo editing apps are:

• PhotoScape
• Monosnap
• Lightshot

Or, you can use the following services to add arrows to images online:

• Photofunny.net
• Lunapic