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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
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Place cursor where you want the text box to appear.
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Go to Insert and in Illustrations select Drawing.
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Select Text Box and use your cursor to create the text box.
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Insert text in box and apply any styling needed.
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Select Save andClose.
If you aren’t using a mouse
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Press Alt + Period (.) and then press N.
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Then press D to select drawings.
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Press Alt + Period (.) and then press N.
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Type the text that you want.
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Press the Esc key 3 times.
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Press Enter to save textbox.
Notes:
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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.
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To format the text box itself, use the commands on the Shape Format contextual tab that appears when you select a text box.
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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.
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You can also change or remove a border from a text box or shape.
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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.
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Editing in a text box
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Double click the textbox.
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In Drawing (Preview), select the textbox to place your cursor and edit text.
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When finished select Save and Close to view updated text box.
Copy a text box
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Select the border of the text box that you want to copy.
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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.
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Select a location and press Ctrl+V to paste the text box.
Delete a text box
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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
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Go to Insert > Text Box, and then select Draw Text Box.
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Click or tap in the document, and drag to draw the text box the size that you want.
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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.
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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.
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To position the text box, select it, and then when the pointer becomes a , drag the text box to a new location.
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You can also change or remove a border from a text box or shape.
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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.
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Copy a text box
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Select the border of the text box that you want to copy.
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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.
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Go to Home and select Paste.
Delete a text box
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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
-
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).
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Select in the document, and then drag to draw the text box the size that you want.
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To add text to a text box, click or tap inside the text box, and then type or paste text.
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To format the text in the text box, select it, and then Control + Click the text and select Font.
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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).
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To position the text box, select and hold it, and then when the pointer becomes a , drag the text box to a new location.
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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
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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.
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Press Control + Click, and then select Copy. Or, press + C.
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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
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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
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Go to Insert > Text Box.
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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.
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After you’ve drawn the text box click inside it to add text.
Copy a text box
-
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.
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Press Control + Click, and then select Copy. Or, press + C.
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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
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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.
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Add a text box
- Go to Insert > Text Box, and then select one of the pre-formatted text boxes from the list, select More Text Boxes from Office.com, or select Draw Text Box.
- If you select Draw Text Box, click in the document, and then drag to draw the text box the size that you want.
Contents
- 1 How do you edit a text box in Word Online?
- 2 Why can’t I add a text box in Word?
- 3 How do you Insert a textbox in Word for Mac online?
- 4 How do you create a text box in Word?
- 5 What Toolbar is used to insert textbox?
- 6 How do you insert a textbox in Word Online 2020?
- 7 How do I insert a textbox in Word without borders?
- 8 How do you insert a textbox in Outlook for Mac?
- 9 How do I create a fillable form in Word?
- 10 How do I put a box around text in Outlook?
- 11 How do I insert text into an object in Word?
- 12 How do I insert a text box?
- 13 How do I add a textbox to a table in Word?
- 14 What is the example of textbox?
- 15 How do I insert a textbox in Onedrive?
- 16 Why is there a box around my text in Word?
- 17 How do you put a red box around text in Powerpoint?
- 18 How do I insert a hyperlink in Word for Mac?
- 19 How do I add text to Quick Parts in Outlook?
How do you edit a text box in Word Online?
How to Edit a Textbox in Word
- Click anywhere in the Word text box to enter editing mode.
- Click and drag your mouse across a section of text to edit it.
- Click the “Home” tab to access text formatting tools.
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.
How do you Insert a textbox in Word for Mac online?
Insert a text box in Office for Mac
- On the Insert menu, click Text Box.
- 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.
- After you’ve drawn the text box click inside it to add text.
How do you create a text box in Word?
To insert a text box:
- Select the Insert tab, then click the Text Box command in the Text group.
- A drop-down menu will appear.
- Click, hold, and drag to create the text box.
- The insertion point will appear inside the text box.
What Toolbar is used to insert textbox?
Click on the Text Box tool on the drawing toolbar.
How do you insert a textbox in Word Online 2020?
Add a text box
- Go to Insert > Text Box, and then select one of the pre-formatted text boxes from the list, select More Text Boxes from Office.com, or select Draw Text Box.
- If you select Draw Text Box, click in the document, and then drag to draw the text box the size that you want.
How do I insert a textbox in Word without borders?
Remove the border
- 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.
- On the Format tab, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
How do you insert a textbox in Outlook for Mac?
Insert the text box inside your Outlook message if you haven’t already done so. Select the “Insert” tab, click the “Text Box” drop-down menu, and then select “Draw Text Box.” Drag your cursor in the message area to create the box.
How do I create a fillable form in Word?
Tech Tip: How to Create Fillable Forms in Microsoft Word
- 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.
- Insert a Control.
- Edit Filler Text.
- Design Mode button again to exit the mode.
- Customize Content Controls.
How do I put a box around text in Outlook?
Add a border to selected text
- Select a word, line, or paragraph.
- On the Home tab, click the arrow next to the Borders button.
- In the Borders gallery, click the border style that you want to apply.
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 text box?
To insert a text box in a Google Doc on Android or iOS: 1. Tap +. 2. Tap Table.
- Place the cursor at the location in the Doc where you want to insert your table.
- Select Insert | Table.
- Select a single 1×1 cell.
- Enter text in the cell.
How do I add a textbox to a table in Word?
To place a table in a text box, click Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box, and draw a text box in the document.
What is the example of textbox?
Below is an example of a one-line text box that is often used for a name, e-mail, or password. The text box may have a fixed length, allowing only a few words to be entered. It may also allow more text than the length of the text box, requiring a user to use arrow keys to scroll horizontally to see all entered text.
How do I insert a textbox in Onedrive?
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 text.
Why is there a box around my text in Word?
The bottom line is that if the Normal style is formatted to have a box around it, then there is a good chance that all your paragraphs will have boxes around them. Check the style formatting and remove any boxes that may be associated with the style, and your problem may be immediately fixed.
How do you put a red box around text in Powerpoint?
One way you can call attention to text on a slide is to add a border around it.
- Select the text to add a border to.
- On the Insert tab, click the rectangle shape and then click the slide to insert it.
- With the shape selected, on the Drawing Tools Format tab, click Shape Fill > No Fill.
How do I insert a hyperlink in Word for Mac?
Select the text or object to display as the hyperlink. Click Insert > Hyperlink. Click This Document, and then click to expand Headings or Bookmarks depending on what you want to link to. Click the heading or bookmark you want to link to, and then click OK.
How do I add text to Quick Parts in Outlook?
Select the text you would like to save as a Quick Part. From the Message Ribbon , select Insert , and then from the Text group, select Quick Parts . Select Save Selection to Quick Part Gallery . In the Create New Building Block dialog box, name the Quick Part, add a brief description, and click OK .
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.
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On the ribbon, select Insert.
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In the Text group, select Text Box, then choose a text box template.
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The new text box appears in the middle of the text, and the Shape Format tab is automatically selected.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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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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Lesson 21: Text Boxes
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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:
- Select the Insert tab, then click the Text Box command in the Text group.
- A drop-down menu will appear. Select Draw Text Box.
- Click and drag anywhere on the document to create the text box.
- The insertion point will appear inside the text box. You can now type to create text inside the text box.
- 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.
- 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:
- Click the text box you want to move.
- Hover the mouse over one of the edges of the text box. The mouse will change into a cross with arrows.
- Click and drag the text box to the desired location.
To resize a text box:
- Click the text box you want to resize.
- 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.
- Select the text box you want to change.
- On the Format tab, click the More drop-down arrow in the Shape Styles group.
- A drop-down menu of styles will appear. Select the style you want to use.
- 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.
- Select the text box you want to change. The Format tab will appear.
- From the Format tab, click the Edit Shape command.
- Hover the mouse over Change Shape, then select the desired shape from the menu that appears.
- The text box will appear formatted as the shape.
Challenge!
- Open our practice document.
- Insert a Simple Text Box.
- In the text box, type Get an additional 25% off when you mention this ad!
- Change the font to Gadugi, 20 pt, Center Align.
- Change the shape of the text box to Double Wave from the Stars and Banners group.
- Change the text box style by selecting any style in the Intense Effect row.
- Drag the text box to the space below Buy 1, Get 1 Free* and Formalwear.
- When you’re finished, your document should look something like this:
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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.
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.
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.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.