Create text boxes in word

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A text box is an object you can add to your document that lets you put and type text anywhere in your file. Text boxes can be useful for drawing attention to specific text and can also be helpful when you need to move text around in your document.

Add a text box

  1. Place cursor where you want the text box to appear.

  2. Go to Insert and in Illustrations select Drawing.

  3. Select Text Box and use your cursor to create the text box.

  4. Insert text in box and apply any styling needed.

  5. Select Save andClose.

If you aren’t using a mouse

  1. Press Alt + Period (.) and then press N.

  2. Then press D to select drawings.

  3. Press Alt + Period (.) and then press N.

  4. Type the text that you want.

  5. Press the Esc key 3 times.

  6. Press Enter to save textbox. 

    Notes:  

    • To format the text in the text box, select the text, and then use the formatting options in the Font group on the Home tab.

    • To format the text box itself, use the commands on the Shape Format contextual tab that appears when you select a text box.

    • To position the text box, select it, and then when the pointer becomes a Four-headed arrow four-headed arrow, drag the text box to a new location.

    • You can also change or remove a border from a text box or shape.

    • If you have multiple text boxes, you can link them together so that text will flow from one box to another. Select one of the text boxes and on the Shape Format tab, select Create Link.

Editing in a text box

  1. Double click the textbox.

  2. In Drawing (Preview), select the textbox to place your cursor and edit text.

  3. When finished select Save and Close to view updated text box.

Copy a text box

  1. Select the border of the text box that you want to copy.

  2. Press Ctrl+C

    Note: Make sure the pointer is on the border of the text box, not inside it. If the pointer is inside, pressing Ctrl+C will copy the text, not the text box.

  3. Select a location and press Ctrl+V to paste the text box.

Delete a text box

  • Select the border of the text box that you want to delete, and then press Delete.

    Note: Make sure the pointer is on the border of the text box and not inside it. If the pointer is inside the box, pressing Delete will delete the text inside the text box, not the box.

Add a text box

  1. Go to Insert > Text Box, and then select Draw Text Box.

  2. Click or tap in the document, and drag to draw the text box the size that you want.

  3. To add text to a text box, select inside the text box, and then type or paste text. 

    Notes: 

    • To format the text in the text box, select the text, and then use the formatting options in the Font group on the Home tab.

    • To format the text box itself, use the commands on the Format contextual tab, which appears under Drawing Tools when you select a text box.

    • To position the text box, select it, and then when the pointer becomes a Four-headed arrow, drag the text box to a new location.

    • You can also change or remove a border from a text box or shape.

    • If you have multiple text boxes, you can link them together so that text will flow from one box to another. Select one of the text boxes and on the Format tab, under Drawing Tools, and then select Create Link.

Copy a text box

  1. Select the border of the text box that you want to copy.

  2. Go to Home > Copy The Copy button..

    Make sure that the pointer is not inside the text box, but rather on the border of the text box. If the pointer is not on the border, pressing Copy will copy the text inside the text box and not the text box.

  3. Go to Home and select Paste.

    The Clipboard group on the Home tab.

Delete a text box

  • Select the border of the text box and then press DELETE.

    Make sure that the pointer is not inside the text box, but rather on the border of the text box. If the pointer is not on the border, pressing DELETE will delete the text inside the text box instead.

Add a text box

  1. Go to Insert > Text Box and then select either Draw Text Box (where the text aligns horizontally on the page) or Vertical Text Box (where the text aligns vertically on the page).

    On the Insert tab, Text Box is highlighted.

  2. Select in the document, and then drag to draw the text box the size that you want.

  3. To add text to a text box, click or tap inside the text box, and then type or paste text.

    • To format the text in the text box, select it, and then Control + Click the text and select Font.

    • To add different effects to the text box, select the text box, and use the options on the Shape Format tab (such as changing the text direction or aligning the text at the top, middle or bottom of the text box).

    • To position the text box, select and hold it, and then when the pointer becomes a Four-headed arrow, drag the text box to a new location.

Note: If you have drawn multiple text boxes, you can link them together so that text will flow from one box to another. You can only link an empty text box to the one that you’ve selected. To do this, select the text box that you want to link to another text box, and then go to Shape Format > Create Link.

Copy a text box

  1. Select the text box you want to copy.

    Make sure that the pointer is on the border of the text box and not inside the text box. If the pointer is not on the border, the text inside the text box is copied.

  2. Press Control + Click, and then select Copy. Or, press The Command button. + C.

  3. Select the location in your document where you want to paste the text box, press Control + Click, and then select Paste. Or, press The Command button. + V.

Remove a text box

  • Select the border of the text box that you want to delete, and then press DELETE.

    Make sure that the pointer is on the border of the text box and not inside the text box. If the pointer is not on the border, pressing DELETE will delete the text inside the text box.

Add a text box

  1. Go to Insert > Text Box.

    The Text Box item on the Insert menu

  2. Click in your file where you’d like to insert the text box, hold your mouse button down, then drag to draw the text box the size that you want.

  3. After you’ve drawn the text box click inside it to add text.

Copy a text box

  1. Select the text box you want to copy.

    Make sure that the pointer is on the border of the text box and not inside the text box. If the pointer is not on the border, the text inside the text box is copied.

  2. Press Control + Click, and then select Copy. Or, press The Command button. + C.

  3. Select the location in your document where you want to paste the text box, press Control + Click, and then select Paste. Or, press The Command button. + V.

Remove a text box

  • Select the border of the text box that you want to delete, and then press DELETE.

    Make sure that the pointer is on the border of the text box and not inside the text box. If the pointer is not on the border, pressing DELETE will delete the text inside the text box.

Need more help?

  1. Image titled Add a Box Around Selected Text in Word Step 1

    1

    Click the Insert tab.

  2. Image titled Add a Box Around Selected Text in Word Step 2

    2

    On the right side of all of the things you can insert, look for ‘Text Box.’

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  3. Image titled Add a Box Around Selected Text in Word Step 3

    3

    Select the text box that you want to use and double click on it.

  4. Image titled Add a Box Around Selected Text in Word Step 4

    4

    Cut and paste the text into the text box.

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Video

  • To change the size of the text box, click on it once, and drag one of the 8 circles.

  • You can change the design of the text box you have selected by going into the format tab.

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Updated on September 11, 2022

What to Know

  • Select Insert > Text Box > choose a text box template. Select and drag box to the position you want.
  • To resize text, select and drag circles around the edge. To rotate text, select and drag the circular arrow.
  • Place the cursor inside the text box and type the information you want to appear.

This article explains how to use text boxes in Microsoft Word. Instructions apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.

How to Insert a Text Box in Word

Start by opening the document you want to add a text box to. Then follow the steps below.

  1. On the ribbon, select Insert.

  2. In the Text group, select Text Box, then choose a text box template.

  3. The new text box appears in the middle of the text, and the Shape Format tab is automatically selected.

  4. Select and drag the box to the position you want. To resize the text box, select and drag the circles around the edge. To rotate the text box, select and drag the circular arrow at the top of the box.

  5. Place the cursor inside the text box and type the information you want to appear there.

Why Use Text Boxes?

When you type text in Microsoft Word, you have options for making it look a particular way on the page (such as changing the page margins), but those options are limited. Text boxes expand your formatting repertoire by offering additional control and flexibility for how your text appears. You can place a text box anywhere within a document and format it with different colors and fonts. This feature is especially helpful for creating a blockquote or a sidebar.

Customize a Text Box

After you create a text box, you can customize it in a number of ways.

  1. To bring up options, place the cursor inside the text box and right-click. Choose an option and follow the screen prompts to add a border, change the style, or adjust the way the text box interacts with the other text on the page.

    Alternatively, use the controls on the Shape Format tab.

  2. To go directly to the Layout Options menu, select the text box, then select the Layout Options icon (it looks like a horseshoe and is located to the right of the text box).

  3. Change the text, make more adjustments, or move the box to another location at any time. To delete a text box, select its border, then press Delete on the keyboard.

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Reading
a lengthy text document can make anyone bored in minutes. However, there are
few simple ways to make your documents more attractive and appealing to the
reader. One such option is to add colorful text boxes in-between paragraphs.
This is a useful way to show important action points on full text based
documents. In this article, let us explore how to create text box in Word
document.

Related: How to quickly add dividers in Word?

We
will discuss the following options based on Word 2016 or later version.

  • Create text box from existing text
  • Creating empty text box
  • Changing text box size and position
  • Changing text direction
  • Deleting borders

Creating
Text Box from Existing Text

You can convert any of the existing text paragraph and list to a text box in Word. Let’s see how to do that.

  • First open your document and select the paragraph you want to convert to a text box.
  • Switch to the “Insert” tab from the ribbon menu.
  • Open the “Text Box” menu.
  • Word offers a selection of predefined text boxes, for example for creating sidebars with quotes.
  • However, for converting the existing text, select the entry “Draw Text Box” in the lower pane.
Convert Paragraph to Text Box
Convert Paragraph to Text Box

This will instantly add a bordered text box around
the selected text. Word treats text boxes as a drawing and you can design the
box as per your need using the “Drawing Tools” menu. You can move the text
boxes anywhere in the document, depending on the layout. This can be useful for
the design of flyers and brochure.

Creating
Empty Text Box

Of course, you do not necessarily need existing text to
create a new text box. Alternatively, you can also create empty text boxes and
enter the text into them later.

  • Place the cursor where you want to insert a text box.
  • Reopen the “Insert” menu and select “Text Box” option.
  • Click the “Draw Text Box” menu item. You will see the cursor now changed to cross hair shape.
  • Draw out the text box while holding down the left mouse button.
  • Then enter the text into the text box.
  • You can look at the various options in the context menu of your text box for designing your text box.
Context Menu on Text Box
Context Menu on Text Box

Changing
Text Box Size and Position

When
you have created a text box out, you have various options for editing. You can
design it, change the size and place it anywhere in your document.

  • You can change the size of the box using the handles on the edges of it. Word will automatically adjust the text content inside the box.
  • It is also possible to freely move the box using the mouse. You can hover over the mouse to change the cursor into a star shape, allowing you to drag the box.
  • Formatting is also possible as usual, for example, right-click on the selected text to use the Mini toolbar and format the text in bold or change the alignment.
  • You can click on the “Layout Options” button on the side of the text box to wrap text box with the content on your document.
Text Box Layout Option
Text Box Layout Option

Changing
Text Direction

Within
a text box, you can also influence the text direction. Besides the default
horizontal alignment the text can also run vertically.

  • What about if you want to rotate the text inside text box? This is also
    very easy. Open the “Text Direction”.
  • Double click on the text box to open “Drawing Tools” menu. Click on the
    “Text Direction” menu and select the entry, “Rotate all text 270°”.
  • The text is now set vertically in the text box and you can adjust the
    format and position of the box.
Rotate Text 270 Degree Inside Text Box
Rotate Text 270 Degree Inside Text Box
  • You can move the text box between paragraphs or columns by dragging the
    box while keeping the left mouse button pressed.

Related: How to embed Excel table in Word document?

Deleting
Borders and Content

By
default, text boxes are displayed with borders, but you do not have to keep
them. You can easily remove the borders.

  • Click on the text box to open the “Drawing Tools” and select “Shape Outline”
    button under “Format” menu.
  • Now, select the entry “No Outline” to remove the borders from the box.
Remove Outline from Text Box
Remove Outline from Text Box
  • You can also apply different colors, weight and styles to the border if
    you want.
  • In order to delete a text box content, simply click inside the box and
    edit or delete the content. Alternatively, select the text box by clicking on
    the border and press delete to completely delete the box.
  • In this respect, text boxes behave in the same way as other drawing
    objects.

Using Text Box Templates

The best and easy way to use text box in Word is to
select one of the predefined text box template. You can select from one of the good-looking
templates from the “Text Box” menu dropdown.

Text Box Templates in Word
Text Box Templates in Word

For example, you can use text box in a sidebar
format or choose one of the colorful formats. You can adjust the layout
positions to align the content beside the box.

Predefined Text Box in Word
Predefined Text Box in Word

You can also customize the text box and create a
custom template as a Quick Parts.

  • First, select the box you want to use as templates.
  • Go to “Insert > Text Box” and choose “Save Selection to Text Box Gallery” option.
  • Fill up the details to create a new building block.
  • You can view the saved template under “Text Box” menu dropdown from next time onwards.

Other Formatting Options

The “Formatting Tools” menu offers various
additional options for customizing your text box content. You can double click
on any text box to view the menus applicable for drawing object. Below are some
of the activities you can do with the formatting tools:

  • Apply shape styles like fill, effects and borders.
  • Create WordArt inside text box.
  • Change text direction.
  • Position and wrap the content around the text box.

Add a text box

  1. Go to Insert > Text Box, and then select Draw Text Box.
  2. Click or tap in the document, and drag to draw the text box the size that you want.
  3. To add text to a text box, select inside the text box, and then type or paste text. Notes:

Contents

  • 1 How do I create a fixed text box in Word?
  • 2 How do you insert a box in Word 2020?
  • 3 Where is text box tools in Word?
  • 4 How do I make a text box a certain size in Word?
  • 5 How do I make a small box in Word?
  • 6 How do you insert a little box in Word?
  • 7 Why can’t I add a text box in Word?
  • 8 Why is there no text box option in Word?
  • 9 What is text box tool?
  • 10 How do I apply a shape style to a text box in Word?
  • 11 How do I insert a 2×2 box in Word?
  • 12 How do you make a clickable checkbox in Word?
  • 13 How do I insert a checkbox without the Developer tab in Word?
  • 14 How do I create a fillable field in Word?
  • 15 How do you insert a checkbox in Word for Mac?
  • 16 How do you insert a checkbox in docs?
  • 17 How do I insert a text field in Word?
  • 18 Can you add a text box in Word Online?
  • 19 How do I insert text into an object in Word?
  • 20 How do I insert a textbox in Word without borders?

How do I create a fixed text box in Word?

Follow these general steps.

  1. Place the text box in your document.
  2. Adjust the width of your text box to reflect what you need.
  3. Right-click the text box and choose Format Text Box from the resulting Context menu.
  4. Make sure the Text Box tab is displayed.
  5. Make sure the Resize AutoShape to Fit Text check box is selected.

How do you insert a box in Word 2020?

Place you cursor at the start of the first line. Go to the Developer tab, and then click Check Box. If you want a space after the check box, press Tab or Spacebar. Use a Tab character if you want to format the list item with hanging indentation, like Word applies to bulleted lists.

Where is text box tools in Word?

Go to Insert > Text Box, and then select Draw Text Box. Click or tap in the document, and drag to draw the text box the size that you want. To add text to a text box, select inside the text box, and then type or paste text.

How do I make a text box a certain size in Word?

Click the Insert tab of the ribbon, click the Text Box button, and choose Draw Text Box. Draw a text box of any size. The Text Box Tools tab should appear on the ribbon, with the Size group at the right end. Type in the measurements, and the box will take that size.

How do I make a small box in Word?

Click the “Text Box” button on the Ribbon and choose the first option, “Simple Text Box.” Position the cursor on the Word page and drag to form the size of the box.

How do you insert a little box in Word?

Just position your cursor in the document where you want a check box, switch to the “Developer” tab, and then click the “Check Box Content Control” button. You should see a check box appear wherever you placed your cursor.

Why can’t I add a text box in Word?

If any part of the document is protected, insertion of pictures and text boxes (which in Word are actually graphic objects) is disabled. It seems you’re limiting the restriction to headers and footers.

Why is there no text box option in Word?

Provided you are still viewing the document in Print Layout view, you should be able to see any text boxes. If you still can’t see it, it could be possible that the text box is formatted for no line and no fill and that the text it contains is formatted as hidden (and you have the display of hidden text turned off).

What is text box tool?

The Text Box tool is useful for placing text notes and comments on the PDF. Text is contained within a text box you define, including its size, background color, and other properties.Go to Markup > Text > Text Box. Click on the Markups toolbar .

How do I apply a shape style to a text box in Word?

To change the shape style:

  1. Select the text box you want to change.
  2. On the Format tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Shape Styles group.
  3. A drop-down menu of styles will appear. Select the style you want to use.
  4. The text box will appear in the selected style.

How do I insert a 2×2 box in Word?

Click the Insert tab and then click Pictures. Select the photo that you want to turn into a 2×2 picture. Click the Insert button to insert the picture into your Word document. You can also copy the picture (Ctrl + C) and paste it into your Word document (Ctrl + V).

How do you make a clickable checkbox in Word?

On the right side, check the “Show Developer tab in the Ribbon” and click OK. The Developer tab will now appear on the Ribbon. Under the Developer tab, click Legacy Tools button in Controls group and select the “Check Box Form Field” control. It will insert a clickable checkbox at your cursor’s location.

How do I insert a checkbox without the Developer tab in Word?

Open the drop-down menu and click on Define New Bullet. Click on the Symbol tab. From the list of fonts, select Wingdings (or Wingdings 2 in newer versions of Word) and find the appropriate, empty checkbox. Click OK to confirm and then once more.

How do I create a fillable field in Word?

Creating Fillable Forms Using Microsoft Word

  1. Enable Developer Tab. Open Microsoft Word, then go to the File Tab > Options > Customize Ribbon > check the Developer Tab in the right column > Click OK.
  2. Insert a Control.
  3. Edit Filler Text.
  4. Design Mode button again to exit the mode.
  5. Customize Content Controls.

How do you insert a checkbox in Word for Mac?

Place the cursor where you want to add a checkbox in your document. Click the Developer tab at the top and select the Check Box Content Control icon from the Controls section. Word will add an interactive checkbox to your document. You can click on this box and it will be ticked.

How do you insert a checkbox in docs?

Insert checkboxes

  1. On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets.
  2. Select the cells you want to have checkboxes.
  3. In the menu at the top, click Insert. Checkbox.
  4. To remove checkboxes, select the checkboxes you want to remove and press Delete.

How do I insert a text field in Word?

How to insert a Text field in Word

  1. Launch Microsoft Word.
  2. Click anywhere on the document.
  3. Click the Insert tab.
  4. Click the Quick Parts button.
  5. Click Field from the drop-down menu.
  6. Choose a field name from the field name list.
  7. then, choose an option from the list on the right.
  8. Click OK.

Can you add a text box in Word Online?

On the Insert tab, in the Text group, click Text Box. Click in the presentation, and then drag to draw the text box the size that you want. To add text to a text box, click inside the text box, and then type or paste the text.

How do I insert text into an object in Word?

To do so, click the “Insert” tab on the ribbon menu. Then, click the downward-facing arrow next to “Object” and select “Text from File.” Browse to the file you want and double-click it. Its text will appear in the Word document.

How do I insert a textbox in Word without borders?

Remove the border

  1. Select the text box or shape. If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold Ctrl while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
  2. On the Format tab, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.

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