Text box in word online

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.

Achieve more control and flexibility with your documents

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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Introduction

Text boxes can be useful for drawing attention to specific text. They can also be helpful when you need to move text around in your document. Word allows you to format text boxes and the text within them with a variety of styles and effects.

Optional: Download our practice document.

Watch the video below to learn more about text boxes in Word.

To insert a text box:

1. Select the Insert tab, then click the Text Box command in the Text group.

   

2. A drop-down menu will appear. Select Draw Text Box.

   

3. Click and drag anywhere on the document to create the text box.

   

4. The insertion point will appear inside the text box. You can now type to create text inside the text box.

   

5. If you want, you can select the text and then change the font, color, and size by using the commands on the Format and Home tabs. To learn more about using these formatting commands, see our Formatting Text lesson.

   

6. Click anywhere outside the text box to return to your document.

You can also select one of the built-in text boxes that have predefined colors, fonts, positions, and sizes. If you choose this option, the text box will appear automatically, so you will not need to draw it.

To move a text box:

1. Click the text box you want to move.
2. Hover the mouse over one of the edges of the text box. The mouse will change into a cross with arrows.
3. Click and drag the text box to the desired location.

   

To resize a text box:

1. Click the text box you want to resize.
2. Click and drag any of the sizing handles on the corners or sides of the text box until it is the desired size.

   

Modifying text boxes

Word offers several options for changing the way text boxes appear in your document. You can change the shape, style, and color of text boxes or add various effects.

To change the shape style:

Choosing a shape style allows you to apply preset colors and effects to quickly change the appearance of your text box.

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.

   

If you want to have more control over text box formatting, you can use any of the shape formatting options such as Shape Fill and Shape Outline. To learn more, see our Shapes lesson.

To change the text box shape:

Changing the shape of a text box can be a useful option for creating an interesting look in your document.

1. Select the text box you want to change. The Format tab will appear.
2. From the Format tab, click the Edit Shape command.

   

3. Hover the mouse over Change Shape, then select the desired shape from the menu that appears.

   

4. The text box will appear formatted as the shape.

   

Challenge!

1. Open our practice document.
2. Insert a Simple Text Box.
3. In the text box, type Get an additional 25% off when you mention this ad!
4. Change the font to Gadugi, 20 pt, Center Align.
5. Change the shape of the text box to Double Wave from the Stars and Banners group.
6. Change the text box style by selecting any style in the Intense Effect row.
7. Drag the text box to the space below Buy 1, Get 1 Free* and Formalwear.
8. When you’re finished, your document should look something like this:

   

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In some cases, you might want to type words or sentences on an image. However, you cannot do this without first inserting a text box. The text box can end up ruining the aesthetic of the picture. It is best to blur out the outline of the box. This can be done quickly in Microsoft word using the steps below.

1.    Open Microsoft word

Choose a blank document.

2.    Go to ‘layout’

From that list, select ‘orientation.’ Either portrait or landscape.

3.    Go to the ‘insert’ tab on your ribbon

Select ‘picture’ and choose ‘This device.’ Go to the folder with the background picture you want to use and select it.

4.    Right-click the picture

Once the picture has been inserted, right-click it. A context box will appear.

5.    Select ‘Wrap text’

When you do this, another list will appear. Select ‘Behind text.’

Doing this will enable you to drag the edge of your background easily.

6.    Go to the insert tab on the ribbon

From the list on your extreme right, click ‘text box’ and choose ‘draw text box.’

A cross will appear. Now you can drag your text box until you get your preferred shape and size.

7.    Type or paste the text

You can now type your text or paste it into the text box. You can also adjust the font, font size.

8.    Go to ‘Shape Fill’

On the ribbon, under ‘drawing tools,’ go to shape fill.

Several squares of different colors will appear. Below them is another list. Select ‘gradient.’

9.    Go to ‘more gradients’

When you select ‘gradient,’ another assortment of gradient squares will appear. Go to ‘more gradients.’ 

10. Go to ‘Shape Fill’

A dialog box will appear on your extreme right. Select the picture of the small bucket with paint pouring out.

From this list, check the ‘solid color’ option.

Below it, select the drop-down arrow next to the bucket with paint spilling out. Pick a color that blends with your background picture.

On the transparency slider, adjust the level of transparency you would like. If you want it to be fully transparent, slide the control to 100%.

Check the ‘no line’ option.

The text box will disappear.

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The first step is downloading Simul Docs then you can get started.

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