Moving objects to the front or back

When graphics, shapes, images, or styled text overlap in an image area, you can move objects to the front or back to control which element is visible. Mail Designer 365 provides commands for moving an object all the way to the front or back and for shifting it one step forward or backward.

Use these controls to build layered artwork while keeping important text, product details, and calls to action readable. Before changing the order, select the exact object you want to move and identify which other elements it should appear above or below.

Select the object and open the Style tab

Click the graphic element you want to arrange. Mail Designer 365 opens the Style tab on the right, where the layer-order controls are available.

If a different object moves, undo the action and click the intended element again. Selection handles help confirm which item is active, especially when several objects overlap.

Understand Front, Back, Forward, and Backward

The Style tab includes four commands:

• Front moves the selected object above all other objects in the same image area.
• Back moves it behind all other objects in that area.
• Forward moves it one step closer to the front.
• Backward moves it one step closer to the back.

Move an object directly to the front or back

Choose Front when the selected element should sit above every other object, such as a short text label that must remain visible over a decorative image. Choose Back when an object should become the background of the composition.

After moving an object to an extreme position, inspect the entire image area. A background shape should not cover the area unexpectedly, and a front object should not hide another item that recipients need to see.

Move an object one layer at a time

Use Forward or Backward for more precise control. Each click changes the position by one step in the stack. This is useful when an object should sit above one element but remain below another.

Click once, review the result, and repeat only if necessary. Moving several steps without checking can make it harder to understand where the selected object is in relation to the others.

Use the context menu to arrange layers

You can also right-click a selected object and choose the appropriate layer command. In this example, the “Get the App” text object needs to appear in front of the image. Choose Bring Forward, or use Forward in the Style tab.

The adjusted layer order places the text in front of the image so it remains visible.

Arrange layers without reducing readability

Layering can add depth, but the design still needs a clear reading order. Keep sufficient contrast between text and the artwork behind it. Do not place decorative objects over buttons, links, prices, dates, or required information.

When several elements form one visual composition, align and space them consistently. If an item is difficult to select because another object covers it, move the covering object temporarily or use a one-step layer command until the intended item becomes accessible.

Troubleshoot object order

• The wrong object moves: Undo, select the correct object, and confirm its handles before trying again.
• An object disappears: It may be behind a larger shape or image; move it forward one step at a time.
• Text becomes unreadable: Adjust the layer order, background, or text color instead of relying on overlap alone.
• The composition changes on mobile: Preview the smartphone layout and check the overlap at the narrower width.

Test the layered email design

Preview the email at desktop and mobile widths, then send a test message. Confirm that the final image composition is sharp, important text remains readable, and links or buttons are not obscured. For more design guidance, browse the Mail Designer 365 Knowledge Base.