Why can't I change a picture in a SmartArt Graphic?

[David T.]

I was teaching a class today and a student asked why they couldn't change the
picture in a smartart graphic. Usually you select the picture and use the
"change picture" function. However, that function isn't available is the
picture is active inside of the smartart graphic. The only other option was
to create an entirely new graphic with a different set of pictures. This
issue needs to be resolved. Does anyone have a fix for this problem or are we
stuck with it till a new service pack or Word 2010?

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

A SmartArt graphic isn't quite the same as a picture. When you right-click,
however, you should see either Change Layout or Change Shape as options,
depending on what's selected. I would think that that would give you what
you're looking for.

 

[Mike Grosenbach]

The "change picture" option is usually disabled from what I've seen. But if
you select the picture *only* within the smartart graphic, then right click
and select "Reset Shape", it will reset the picture cell.