Draw text box in word

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, 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 , 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 .

   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.

   

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).

   

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 , 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 + 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 + 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.

   

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 + 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 + 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.

How to Draw a Text Box in Word

1. Launch Word.
2. Click the small drop-down arrow on the “Text Box” button on the ribbon.
3. Click “Draw Text Box.” The cursor turns into a plus sign.
4. Position the cursor on the document page, press and hold down the left mouse button and drag to draw the text box.

How do you draw a box in Microsoft 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 draw a rectangle box in Word?

On the Insert tab, click Shapes. Click the shape you want, click anywhere in the workspace, and then drag to place the shape. To create a perfect square or circle (or constrain the dimensions of other shapes), press and hold Shift while you drag.

How do I draw a shape in Word?

Click in your document where you want to create the drawing. On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes. When you find the shape you want to insert, double-click to insert it automatically, or click and drag to draw it in your document.

How do you draw a box and line in Word?

On the Insert tab, in the Illustrations group, click Shapes. Under Lines, right-click the line or connector that you want to add, and then click Lock Drawing Mode. Click where you want to start the line or connector, and then drag the cursor to where you want the line or connector to end.

How do I make a small box in Word?

Make your list

1. Create your list.
2. Place you cursor at the start of the first line.
3. Go to the Developer tab, and then click Check Box.
4. If you want a space after the check box, press Tab or Spacebar.
5. Select and copy (⌘ + C) the check box and any tabs or spaces.

How do I create a fill in box 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.

Why are there boxes in my Word document?

The boxes surrounding text in your example document are frames. These can be removed by pressing Ctrl+Q (which reverts paragraph formatting to that of the underlying pararaph style).

Can you Draw freehand in Word?

There are two sets of drawing tools available to Microsoft Word users. If you want to draw basic, block-like images, you can insert shapes or lines into your Word document and group them together.To insert shapes, you’ll need to press the Insert tab on the ribbon bar. For freehand drawings, press the Draw tab instead.

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.

Is there a Draw tool in Word?

You can draw freely in Microsoft Word using the “Draw” feature whether you have Word for Mac or Windows. You can also insert customizable shapes into your document, or draw using the “Scribble” feature. The process of drawing in Word varies based on which version of Word and device you’re using.

How do you draw a carton?

How to Draw a Fun Cartoon Character

1. Start with the head. Draw a medium-sized oval shape with small ears on each side.
2. Draw the face.
3. Sketch the body.
4. Add the arms.
5. Place the legs.
6. Add shoes.
7. Add some accessories.
8. When you’re finished, ink your character for his final, complete look.

How do I draw a box around text in Word 2016?

How to highlight or select text.

1. Once the text is highlighted, click the Home tab.
2. On the Home tab, click the down arrow on the border to get border options, like those shown in the picture.
3. Select the type of border you want to use. If you want a single border around the text, click Outside Borders.

Can I draw a line in Word?

Draw a line
To add a line, follow these steps. On the Insert tab, select Shapes. Under Lines, select any line style you like. Select a location in the document, hold and drag your pointer to a different location, and then release the mouse button.

How do you draw a straight line in Word?

How to create a straight line in Microsoft Word

1. Go to the Insert menu.
2. Click on Shapes, and select which type of line you want to draw.
3. Press the Shift button on the keyboard while dragging the pointer to form a straight line (horizontal or vertical).
4. The straight line has created!

How do you insert checkboxes in Word?

Inserting a tick-box in Microsoft Word

1. Select the Customize Quick Access Toolbar dropdown.
2. Select More Commands.
3. Select Developer Tab.
4. Select Tick Box.
5. Press Insert.

How do you create fields in Word?

Inserting built-in fields

1. Navigate to the location in the Word document where you want to insert a field.
2. Click the Insert tab in the Ribbon and then click Quick Parts in the Text group.
3. Select Field.
4. In the list of Field names, select a field.
5. Under Field properties, select any properties or options you want.

How do I create a fillable form?

How to create fillable PDF files:

1. Open Acrobat: Click on the “Tools” tab and select “Prepare Form.”
2. Select a file or scan a document: Acrobat will automatically analyze your document and add form fields.
3. Add new form fields: Use the top toolbar and adjust the layout using tools in the right pane.
4. Save your fillable PDF:

How do I fix boxes in Word?

To fix this issue, do this:

1. Open the document that displays boxes instead of text.
2. Select all lines that include boxes.
3. On the Word menu, click Preferences.
4. Under Output and Sharing, click Compatibility.
5. Click Font Substitution.
6. Choose the Gulim font (under Substituted font), and then click OK.

How do I get rid of checkboxes in Word?

The simplest approach is to go to the Layout tab of the Ribbon & click the Selection Pane button in the Arrange group. You then can select them one or more at a time in the Selection Pane in order to delete them.

How do I make the text box not outline in Word?

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.

Even though Microsoft Word gives you plenty of ways to format, align, and manipulate text, there may be a time when it’s not enough. By using text boxes in Word, you have the flexibility to place text where you want, put it inside a shape, or customize it to make it pop.

You can insert a premade text box that includes formatting and a style or start from scratch by drawing your own.

Insert a Built-In Text Box

Using a premade text box, you can get a jump start on the formatting or apply a bit of flare without any extra work. Currently, this feature is only available in Word on Windows, not Mac.

1. Head to the “Insert” tab and open the “Text Box” drop-down box. You’ll see options below “Built-in” at the top. If you hover your cursor over one, you can see a brief description.

1. Choose the premade text box you want to use, and you’ll see it pop onto the page.

1. Click inside the box, which selects the sample text, then type your own.

You can customize the built-in text box, just like one you draw yourself, which is described below.

Draw a Text Box

If you want a complete blank canvas for your text box, you can draw one the size you need and insert your text. Additionally, this is the only option for inserting a text box in Word on Mac at this time.

1. Go to the “Insert” tab and open the “Text Box” drop-down box. On Windows, select “Draw Text Box.”

1. On Mac, select either “Draw Text Box” or “Draw Vertical Text Box.” The latter places the text sideways in the box as shown below.

1. When your cursor changes to a crosshair symbol, drag to draw the text box the size you want. You can still resize the text box later if needed.

1. Once you have your box, just type your text inside of it.

Note: you can also add text boxes in Google Docs.

How to Resize, Rotate, or Move a Text Box

You aren’t stuck with the size, angle, or location of your new text box. You can easily resize, rotate, or move a text box in Word a few different ways.

Resize a Text Box

1. To quickly resize a text box, drag a corner or edge.

1. You can also go to the “Shape Format” tab to change the size. Use the Size section of the ribbon to enter the dimensions in the “Height” and “Width” boxes.

1. If you want to size your box according to the text within it, right-click the text box and pick “Format Shape.” When the sidebar opens, go to the “Layout & Properties” tab and check the box for “Resize shape to fit text.”

Rotate a Text Box

1. To freely rotate the box, drag the circular arrow at the top to the right or left.

1. To rotate it right or left 90 degrees, go to the “Shape Format” tab. Pick an option from the “Rotate” drop-down menu in the “Arrange” section of the ribbon.

1. For an exact angle, right-click and choose “More Layout Options.” Open the Size tab, enter the angle in the “Rotation” box, and click “OK.”

Move a Text Box

To move a text box, drag it to your desired location.

Because a text box works like an object, any other text in your document won’t move out of the way for a text box. However, you can use the Wrap Text and Position features to adjust this if needed.

1. Go to the “Shape Format” tab, then use the “Wrap Text” drop-down box in the “Arrange” section of the ribbon to choose a wrapping option. For instance, you can place the box in line with the text.

1. You can also use the “Position” drop-down box to the left of “Wrap Text” to place the box in a specific spot within the text. For example, you can place it on the top left with text wrapping around it.

Tip: learn how you can create and customize tables in Word.

How to Customize the Text Box Appearance

Along with resizing, rotating, or moving a text box, you may want to change its appearance. You can customize the shape of the text box, apply a background color, or give it a border.

1. Select the text box and head to the “Shape Format” tab, then use the following sections of the ribbon to customize the box and text:

• Insert Shapes: open the “Edit Shape” drop-down menu, move to “Change Shape,” and select a new shape in the pop-out menu.

• Shape Styles: pick a preformatted design in the Shapes Styles box or choose a fill, apply a border, or add a shadow.

• WordArt Styles and Text: use these two sections to adjust the appearance of the text. Apply a design, fill, outline, or effect. You can also change the direction or align the text. For the font style and size, use the options in the “Font” section of the “Home” tab.

1. For additional options, right-click the text box and select “Format Shape,” then you can adjust both the box and text settings in the sidebar. Some options match those in the ribbon while others are different. For instance, you can adjust the transparency of the box or text.

Try this: create an organized document with a table of contents and add page numbers in Word.

How to Connect Text Boxes in Word

One super-handy feature of text boxes in Word is that you can link them together. This allows you to start typing in one box and have the text carry over to the next box. It’s ideal for a list of tips, brief instructions, or short stories you want to include with your content.

To link text boxes, the box you want to connect to the previous one must be empty. If you already have your boxes filled with text, you can either remove the text from the subsequent boxes or add new boxes and remove the existing ones.

1. Insert a text box as described earlier, then add a second text box, but be sure to leave it empty.

1. Select the first text box, go to the “Shape Format” tab, and pick “Create Link” in the Text section of the ribbon.

1. When your cursor changes to a paint can icon, click inside the second text box. This creates a link between the two. If you want a third or fourth text box linked, follow the same process by linking the second box to the third, third to the fourth, and so on.

1. As you add text to the first box, the text that won’t fit then fills the second text box. If you have more text boxes, they will continue to fall into them.

1. If you resize the text boxes, the amount of text in each one adjusts to accommodate it. When you resize one text box, you’ll see the linked box automatically resize as well.

1. Should you decide later you don’t want the boxes linked, you can break the link. Select the first text box, go to the “Shape Format” tab, and click “Break Link.” Follow the same process to remove any additional text box connections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a hyperlink to a text box in Word?

You can add a link to a text box or specific text within it, just like any other object or text in a Word document.

To link the box, select it. To link specific text within the box, select it instead. Right-click, pick “Link” or “Hyperlink,” then choose an existing file or web page, place in the document, new document, or email address. On the right, select the item or add the URL and click “OK.”

How do I stop text from wrapping inside of a text box?

By default, the text inside of a text box wraps to the next line when it reaches the edge of the shape. But you can change this if you would like.

Right-click the text box and pick “Format Shape.” When the sidebar opens, select the “Layout & Properties” tab and uncheck the box for “Wrap text in shape.”

Can I temporarily hide text boxes in Word?

As you work on the other content in your document, you may want to hide a text box or two to focus on other things.

Select a text box, go to the “Shape Format” tab, and click “Selection Pane” in the “Arrange” section. When the sidebar opens, click the eye icon to the right of a text box to hide it. For all text boxes, click “Hide All” at the top. To unhide the text boxes, select the eye with a line through it to the right or pick “Show All” at the top.

Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sandy Writtenhouse.

If you want to get creative with your text or simply have more flexibility, consider adding a customizing a text box in Word.

If you want more flexibility with certain text in your Word document, why not use a text box? Since a text box is considered an object, you can move it wherever you like in your document. This is handy for placing text in areas you normally wouldn’t.

You can use a text box to call attention to something in your document, rotate snippets of text, or create a unique appearance. Microsoft Word also provides formatting options for text boxes that give them their own nifty style or useful function.

Here, we’ll show you how to add or draw a text box and then format it to your liking in Microsoft Word.

With Word on Windows, you can either insert a preformatted text box or draw one of your own. Either way, you can customize it afterward, so choose the best option for you.

Go to the spot in your document where you want the text box and select the Insert tab. Click the Text Box drop-down arrow and pick a Built-In style or Draw a Text Box.

If you’re using Word on Mac, go to the Insert tab, click the Text drop-down arrow, and then the Text Box arrow. You can then choose to draw a simple text box or one where the text inside is vertical.

To draw your text box on either platform, drag the crosshairs to create the size you want. You can resize the text box any time after you draw it too.

When your text box appears, click inside to add your own words.

Format and Customize a Text Box in Word

Once you insert or draw your text box, select it and go to the Shape Format tab to view all of your formatting options. You’ll find the following features in Word on Windows, which may differ slightly in Word on Mac.

Shape Styles

Choose a theme or preset style for your text box. These options include filling colors and various effects.

Or you can use the Shape Fill, Outline, and Effects options to create your own distinctive style. From gradients and patterns to dashed lines and scribbles, you have many terrific options for customizing the appearance of your text box.

Note: Some options in the Shape Styles section may not be available if you select a preset text box.

WordArt Styles

Along with making the text box itself look snazzy, you can do the same with the text inside of it. Check out the Quick Styles in the WordArt Styles for premade options.

Or use the Text Fill, Outline, and Effects to make the text really pop. You can do things like add a shadow and glow or warp the text, so it’s curvy and cool.

Text, Accessibility, Arrange, and Size

The remaining sections of the ribbon allow you to change the direction of the text inside the box, use text wrapping with other elements in your document, rotate the text box, and adjust its exact size. You can also use the Alt Text Accessibility option to describe the text box.

Edit Your Text Box

After you customize your text box, you can still edit it anytime. Just note that when you select the text box to make changes, it may appear without some of the elements or effects you’ve applied. This is to make text editing simpler.

Once you complete your edits and deselect the text box, it will return to normal with your customizations.

Add Text Anywhere, Any Way in Word

Text boxes in Microsoft Word let you place text anywhere in your document without worries of margins or other normal text limitations. And because you can completely format the text box almost any way you want, it can be both a fun and useful addition to your document.

If you use Google Docs and Microsoft Word, take a look at how to work with text boxes in Docs too!

A text box is an element you can insert and position anywhere in a document. Text boxes are great for calling special attention to a quote or a whole block of text.

Insert a Text Box

1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Expand the Text group, if necessary.
3. Click the Text Box button.

A gallery of text box styles appears. The styles range from simple text boxes to stylized sidebars.

4. Select the text box you’d like to use.

   

The text box is automatically inserted.

5. Click the text box and type to replace the placeholder text.

   

The placeholder text disappears as soon as you start typing.

Text boxes can be sized, moved, arranged, and styled just like shapes and pictures.

Draw Text Boxes

You don’t have to use one of Word’s built-in text boxes; you can create one from scratch.

1. From the Insert tab, expand the Text group, if necessary.
2. Click the Text Box button.
3. Select Draw Text Box.

   

The pointer changes to a crosshair, indicating that you can draw the text box.

4. Click and drag in your document to create the text box.

   

The text box is inserted.

Link Text Boxes

Linking text boxes allows text to flow between them. For example, you could make the text of a long article flow through several smaller text boxes in a more advanced layout.

1. After you have created two or more text boxes, select the first one.

The second text box must be empty, so make sure to remove any text in it before proceeding.

2. Click the Format tab in the Drawing Tools ribbon group.
3. Click Create Link from the Text group.

The cursor changes into a tiny pitcher full of letters. Moving the cursor over the second text box reveals that you can “pour” additional text into it.

4. Click the second text box with the new cursor.

   

The two text boxes are linked. Now, once enough text is entered into the first text box, it will automatically overflow into the second.

5. Switch back to the first text box and type into it.

   

You can format the text in a text box just as you would any other text by using the Font and Paragraph groups on the Home tab.

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