How to do borders in word

Add a border to a page

  1. Go to Design > Page Borders.

    Page Borders

  2. Make selections for how you want the border to look.

    Page border settings

  3. To adjust the distance between the border and the edge of the page, select Options. Make your changes and select OK.

    Page border shading

  4. Select OK.

If the page you want to add a border to is in the middle of your document, you must first add section breaks.

  1. Go to Design > Page Borders.

    On the Design tab, the Page Borders option is highlighted

  2. In the Borders and Shading box, design your border:

    • Under Setting on the left, choose the border style you want.

      If you want to remove a border, select None.

    • Under Style, select the line style you want.

    • Select the arrow under Color and choose a border color.

    • Select the arrow under Width and choose the width you want.

    Tip: If you want a clip-art border instead, select the arrow under Art and choose a border graphic.
    Select the style, color, and width for the page border

  3. Next, select the arrow to the right of Apply to and choose This section — First page only.

    Apply to menu with First page only highlighted

    This setting also works if you’re adding the border to the first page in your document.

  4. The Preview box confirms your border styles. To remove the border from one side, select that line in the Preview box.

    The Preview box in the Borders and Shading dialog box is shown

    Tip: To change where the border appears on the page, select Options and adjust the margin settings.

    When finished, Select OK.

Word for the web does not let you edit, delete, or add new borders to text.

If you’ve added borders around text in a document you created with the Word desktop app, Word for the web will preserve them.

A potential workaround is to insert a table that contains only one cell, then paste or type your text into that cell.

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Learn how to insert a lined or art border in Microsoft Word documents on desktop


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  • Adding a Page Border (Windows)
  • |

  • Adding a Page Border (Mac)
  • |

  • Adding a Text Border
  • |

  • Q&A

Do you want to make an outside border in your Microsoft Word documents? You can easily add a solid or dotted border to an entire page or selected content. You can also use Microsoft Word’s included designs to create an artistic border for themed event flyers. This wikiHow will show you how to create a border around text, images, or pages in Microsoft Word using your Windows or Mac computer.

Things You Should Know

  • To add a page border, click «Design» → «Page Borders». Select a border setting, style, and page application. Click «OK».
  • To add a border around text or images, select the content. Click the «Home» tab and click the arrow next to the border icon. Click «Borders and Shading…»
  • Select a border setting, style, and page application. Click «OK».
  1. 1

    Open a project in Microsoft Word. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Windows.[1]

    • You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
    • Use this method to add a lined border around a Microsoft Word document. This is different from changing the margins.
  2. 2

    Click Design. This will be in the top toolbar, between Draw and Layout.

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  3. Image titled Add a Border to Word Step 14

    3

    Click Page Borders. You can find this at the left side of the Design section, next to Page Color. It will have an icon of a page with a yellow border.

    • A new window will open.
  4. 4

    Click Page Border. This is the middle tab on the Borders and Shading window. You may already be on this tab.

  5. 5

    Select a border setting. In the left-most column, click the border option that you want to use. Select from: None, Box, Shadow, 3-D, and Custom.

    • If you want a simple border to go all the way around your page, select Box.
    • To add a border with fun images, click the Art drop-down menu and select from Word’s art gallery. This border can be used for themed flyers for holidays and events.
  6. 6

    Select a border style. In the «Style» column, scroll down until you find the border style you want to use, then click the style. Select from the various solid and dotted line styles.

    • If needed, you can also change the border’s color and width from the Color and Width drop-down menus, respectively.
  7. 7

    Select pages to use. If you created a new section earlier in this method, click the «Apply to» drop-down box, then click the section to which you want to apply the border in the resulting drop-down menu.

    • To apply the border to the first page of your section, click This section — first page only in the drop-down menu.
  8. 8

    Click OK. It’s at the bottom of the page. This will apply the border to your document’s specified page(s).

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  1. 1

    Open a project in Microsoft Word. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Mac.[2]

    • You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
  2. 2

    Click Design. This will be in the top toolbar, between Draw and Layout.

  3. 3

    Click Page Borders. You can find this at the left side of the Design section, next to Page Color. It will have an icon of a page with a yellow border.

    • The Borders and Shading window will open, set to the Page Border tab. If it isn’t already on the Page Border tab, click it now.
  4. 4

    Select a border setting. In the left-most column, click the border option that you want to use. Select from: None, Box, Shadow, 3-D, and Custom.

    • If you want a simple border to go all the way around your page, select Box.
    • To add a border with fun images, click the Art drop-down menu and select from Word’s art gallery. This border can be used for themed flyers for holidays and events.
  5. 5

    Select a border style. In the «Style» column, scroll down until you find the border style you want to use, then click the style. Select from the various solid and dotted line styles.

    • If needed, you can also change the border’s color and width from the Color and Width drop-down menus, respectively.
  6. 6

    Select pages to use. If you created a new section earlier in this method, click the «Apply to» drop-down box, then click the section to which you want to apply the border in the resulting drop-down menu.

    • To apply the border to the first page of your section, click This section — first page only in the drop-down menu.
  7. 7

    Click OK. This is the blue button. This will apply the border to your document’s specified page(s).

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  1. 1

    Open a project in Microsoft Word. This looks like a W on top of a blue square.

  2. 2

    Click Home. This is in the top toolbar, between File and Insert.

  3. Image titled Add a Border to Word Step 3

    3

    Select content. Click and drag your mouse across the text or image(s) around which you want to place a border.

    • This method will place a border around an entire selection of images and text together.
    • If you want to place a border around a single image, double-click the image. Select a preset style from the Picture Styles section, or click Picture Border to set the color, weight, and design of the border.[3]
  4. 4

    Click

    Android 7 Dropdown

    next to the «Borders» button. The Borders button resembles a square divided into four smaller squares; you’ll find it in the «Paragraph» section of options in the toolbar, just right of the paint bucket icon. A drop-down menu will open.

    • On a Mac, click the Format menu item at the top of the screen instead.
  5. 5

    Click Borders and Shading…. It’s at the bottom of the drop-down menu. A new window will open.

    • On a Mac, you’ll find this option in the middle of the Format drop-down menu.
  6. Image titled Add a Border to Word Step 15

    6

    Select a border setting. In the left-most column, click the border option that you want to use. Select from: None, Box, Shadow, 3-D, and Custom.

    • If you want a simple border to go all the way around your text, select Box.
  7. Image titled Add a Border to Word Step 16

    7

    Select a border style. In the «Style» column, scroll down until you find the border style you want to use, then click the style. Select from the various solid and dotted line styles.

    • If needed, you can also change the border’s color and width from the Color and Width drop-down menus, respectively.
    • To add a border with images, click the Art drop-down menu and select a design.
  8. Image titled Add a Border to Word Step 17

    8

    Select pages to use. If you created a new section earlier in this method, click the «Apply to» drop-down box, then click the section to which you want to apply the border in the resulting drop-down menu.

    • To apply the border to the first page of your section, click This section — first page only in the drop-down menu.
  9. Image titled Add a Border to Word Step 18

    9

    Click OK. This will apply the border to your document’s specified page(s).

    • Be sure to save your document when you’re finished.
    • You can also use Microsoft Word to create a booklet or another handout flyer.
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Add New Question

  • Question

    How can I place a border around a picture I’ve inserted into a document?

    Community Answer

    You do what is shown above, but instead, you click on the picture before you go through the steps.

  • Question

    How do I put a border around a table in Microsoft Word?

    Community Answer

    Go into Format —> Borders and Shading. There you’ll find options for borders you can apply to the table.

  • Question

    What three options can I set regarding a picture border?

    Community Answer

    The three option you can set are: small, medium and large.

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About This Article

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Gold frame with text "How to Insert and Remove Page Borders in Microsoft Word"This tutorial shows how to insert page borders in Microsoft Word. We will also look at how to remove page borders.

Page borders can be added to your entire document or specific sections within your document. In addition, you can choose to include or exclude the border from the first page of your document or section.

Table of Contents

  • How to Insert Page Borders
  • How to Remove Page Borders

This tutorial’s companion video shows all the steps in real time.

Watch more than 150 other writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

The images below are from Word for Microsoft 365. These steps also apply to Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac (a.k.a., Word for Mac), Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013 (PC only).

Important Note: If you want to add page borders to a specific section in your document, create the section break first. For more information, please see “How to Insert Section Breaks in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac).”

  1. If your document has sections, place your cursor in the section in which you want to insert the page borders.
  2. Select the Design tab in the ribbon.

Design tab in Word 365

Figure 1. Design tab
  1. Select the Page Borders button in the Page Background group.

Page Borders button in Word 365

Figure 2. Page Borders button
  1. Select Box, Shadow, 3-D, or Custom in the Borders and Shading dialog box.

Pro Tip: Word’s application of these options will depend on the other border options you choose in this dialog box. Therefore, you may need to experiment with a variety of options to achieve the desired results.

Setting options in the Borders and Shading dialog box in Word 365

Figure 3. Box, Shadow, 3-D, and Custom options
  1. Select a line style, color, and width.

Alternatively, select an art option such as apples, hearts, trees, or stars.

Style options in the Borders and Shading dialog box in Word 365

Figure 4. Style, Color, Width, and Art options
  1. (Optional) Select or deselect the top, bottom, left, or right buttons in the Preview section to toggle the border on or off on specific sides of the page.

Top, bottom, left, and right buttons in the Borders and Shading dialog box in Word 365

Figure 5. Top, bottom, left, and right buttons
  1. (Optional) Select Whole document, This section, This section—First page only, or This section—All except first page in the Apply to menu.

Pro Tip: Even if your document doesn’t have sections, you can select This section—First page only or This section—All except first page to include or exclude the border from the first page of the entire document.

"Apply to" menu in the Borders and Shading dialog in Word 365

Figure 6. Apply to menu
  1. (Optional) Select the Options button to adjust the border placement in relation to the edge of the page or text.

Options button in the Borders and Shading button in Word 365

Figure 7. Options button
  1. Select the OK button.

OK button in the Borders and Shading dialog box in Word 365

Figure 8. OK button

Your new page border should now appear in your document.

Page border example in Word 365

Figure 9. Page border example

How to Remove Page Borders

  1. If your document has sections, place your cursor in the section in which you want to remove the page borders.
  2. Select the Design tab in the ribbon (see figure 1).
  3. Select the Page Borders button in the Page Background group (see figure 2).
  4. Select None in the Borders and Shading dialog box.

None option in the Borders and Shading dialog box in Word 365

Figure 10. None option
  1. Select Whole document or This section in the Apply to menu (see figure 6).
  2. Select the OK button (see figure 8).

The page borders should now be removed from the document or section.

Related Resources

How to Insert PDFs into Microsoft Word Documents (PC & Mac)

How to Insert Headers and Footers on Specific Pages in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Apply a Border to a Section of Your Word Doc

Add a professional touch by setting off a block of text

Updated on January 31, 2021

What to Know

  • To apply a border to a section, select the text and go to Borders > Borders and Shading > Borders > border style options > OK.
  • For a whole page, go to Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box and format the text box border as desired.
  • You can also add a border to table cells or an entire table.

This article explains different ways to apply borders to documents in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, Word for Microsoft 365 for Mac, Word 2019 for Mac, and Word 2016 for Mac.

Apply a Border to a Section of Text

When you design a Microsoft Word document, you can apply a border to an entire page or a smaller text section. The software makes it possible for you to choose a simple or more complex border style and custom color and size. This capability makes certain sections of your document stand out. Here’s how to apply a border to a section of a Word document.

  1. Highlight the portion of the document you want to surround with a border, such as a block of text.

  2. On the ribbon, select Home.

  3. In the Paragraph group, select Borders.

  4. Select Borders and Shading.

  5. In the Borders and Shading dialog box, select the Borders tab.

  6. In the Style list, choose a line style.

  7. Select the Color drop-down arrow and choose a color for the border.

  8. Select the Width drop-down arrow and choose a width for the border.

  9. In the Preview section, select the sides of the box to apply the border to those sides of the selected text. Or, in the Settings section, select a preset border.

  10. To fine-tune the border, select Options and make your selections in the Border and Shading Options dialog box.

  11. In the Preview section, select the Apply to drop-down arrow and choose Paragraph (or Text if you highlighted part of a paragraph).

  12. Select OK.

  13. The border surrounds the text you initially selected.

Apply a Border to a Whole Page of Text

Here are the steps to apply a border to a Word document page. The process is different from the one above in that there should be no existing text when you start. Instead, you’ll create the border and insert the text later.

  1. Open a new Word document.

  2. On the ribbon, select Insert.

  3. In the Text group, select Text Box.

  4. Select Draw Text Box. The cursor becomes a drawing tool.

  5. Draw a text box the size you want on the page, leaving margins.

  6. Go to the Shape Format tab and, in the Shape Styles group, select Shape Outline.

  7. Select Weight > More Lines.

  8. In the Format Shape pane, use the controls to choose how you want the border to look. When you’re satisfied with the border, in the upper-right corner of the dialog box, select X.

  9. Place the cursor in the text box and write your text.

Apply a Border to a Table

You can also add a border to table cells or to an entire table.

  1. In the table, highlight the cells you want to add a border to.

  2. On the ribbon, select Table Design.

  3. In the Borders group, select Borders > Borders and Shading.

  4. In the Borders and Shading dialog box, customize how the border looks.

  5. Select OK to save your changes.

  6. The border appears around the cells you highlighted.

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How to Add Borders in Word

Adding borders and shading to paragraphs can make them more attractive, organized, and easy to read.

Add a Border

Borders are lines that you can add to the top, bottom, left, or right of paragraphs. They are especially useful for emphasizing headings.

  1. Click in the paragraph where you want to add a border.
  2. If you want to add the same kind of border to several paragraphs, select them all at once.

  3. Click the Borders list arrow.
  4. Select a border type.
  5. Add a Border

The border is applied to the selected sides of the paragraph.

To remove a border, select the No Border option in the Borders menu.

Add Shading

Change the background color of a paragraph by adding shading.

  1. Select the paragraph or paragraphs you want to add shading to.
  2. Click the Shading list arrow.
  3. Select a shading color.
  4. If the color you want to use does not appear in the list, select More Colors to choose from a larger array of colors.

    Add Shading

The color is applied behind the text.

Additional Border and Shading Options

If the options available on the ribbon don’t have what you’re looking for, open the Borders and Shading dialog box to see more options..

  1. Click the Borders list arrow.
  2. Select Borders and Shading at the bottom of the menu.

    Additional Border and Shading Options

  3. Use the options in the dialog box to adjust the border and shading:
    • To apply a border: Click the Borders tab and select your border style, color, and width. Then, click the side(s) of the paragraph in the Preview diagram where you want to apply the borders.
    • To apply shading: Click the Shading tab. Click the Fill list arrow and select the color you want to use. You can also click the Style list arrow in the Patterns group and select a pattern.
  4. Click OK when you’re done.

    Additional Border and Shading Options

The border and shading settings are applied.

You can also add a border or shading to just some of the text rather than an entire paragraph. Select the text and open the Borders and Shading dialog box. Click the Apply to list arrow, and select Text. Then, specify the border and shading options you want to use.


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