Erin Wright Writing

Writing-Related Software Tutorials

How to Insert Text Boxes in Microsoft Word

By

This tutorial shows how to insert text boxes in Microsoft Word. We will also look at how to change the text box color, border, and font style.

Text boxes let you emphasize important information by visually separating it from the main content.

Table of Contents:

Watch all the steps shown here in real time!

Explore more than 250 writing-related software tutorials on my YouTube channel.

These steps apply to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2021, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013. We will cover this topic in Word for Mac in a separate tutorial.

How to Insert a Text Box

  1. Place your cursor where you want to insert the text box. (This can be an approximate placement. The text box can be moved later.)
  2. Select the Insert tab in the ribbon.
  3. Select the Text Box button.
  4. Select a built-in (premade) design from the menu. The first option creates a basic text box.

Pro Tip: Select Draw Text Box if you prefer to click and drag an empty text box on to the page rather than inserting one of the built-in designs.

Text Box menu in the Insert tab in Word 365
Figure 1. Text Box menu
  1. Type your text over the filler text.
  2. Use the resizing handles to adjust the size of the box.
Text box resizing handles in Word 365
Figure 2. Text box resizing handles
  1. To move the text box freely around the page, select the Layout Options button and then choose any of the Text Wrapping options. Square will be the best option for most situations.
Text Box Layout Options menu in Word 365
Figure 3. Text Box Layout Out menu Text Wrapping options

You can now move the text box around the page.

How to Change the Text Box Color, Border, and Font Style

  1. Select the text box. (The resizing handles are visible when the text box is selected.)
  2. Select the Shape Format tab in the ribbon. (This tab only appears when a text box or shape is selected.)
  3. Select a style from the Quick Styles menu or select options from the Shape Fill (which includes an option to insert a background picture), Shape Outline, or Shape Effects in the Shape Styles group.
Shape Styles group in the Shape Format tab in Word 365
Figure 4. Shape Styles group options
  1. Select a style from the WordArt Quick Styles menu or select options from the Text Fill, Text Outline, or Text Effects menus to change the appearance of the text.
WordArt Styles group in the Shape Format tab in Word 365
Figure 5. WordArt Styles group
  1. To further customize the text, select it, select the Home tab in the ribbon, and then choose additional options from the Font group, such as a new font style or size.
Font and font size options in the Home tab in Word 365
Figure 6. Font and font size options in the Home tab

Related Resources

How to Add Background Images to Tables in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

How to Insert Images Inside Text in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)