How to Insert Text into Shapes in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac)

We recently looked at how to insert images into shapes in Microsoft Word. Today, we are going to insert text into shapes in Microsoft Word. First, we will insert text using the shape’s built-in text option. Then, we will use WordArt to place text over the shape, which will create the appearance of text inserted into the shape.

Table of Contents

How to Insert Text into Shapes (Built-In Method)
How to Use WordArt to Insert Text into Shapes

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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). These steps don’t apply to Word for the web.

Important Note: This tutorial assumes you have already created your shape. For information about creating shapes, please see “How to Insert and Modify Shapes in Microsoft Word (PC & Mac).”

How to Insert Text into Shapes (Built-In Method)

Right-click (PC) or Control-click (Mac) the shape and then select Add Text from the shortcut menu.

Add Text option in the shape shortcut menu in Word 365 — Figure 1. Add Text option

Your cursor will be placed in the center of the shape where you can type your text.

Text typed in shape in Word 365 — Figure 2. Text typed in shape

How to Modify the Font

Select the Home tab.

Home tab in Word 365 — Figure 3. Home tab

Select the text and use the font options in the Font group to adjust the (A) font style, (B) size, and (C) color. You can also add (D) text effects and typography (e.g., drop shadows, reflections, ligatures).

Text in shape with font options in Word 365 — Figure 4. Text in shape with font options

How to Modify the Text Position

Select the Shape Format tab. (Note that this tab only appears when a shape or the text within a shape is selected.

Shape Format tab in Word 365 — Figure 5. Shape Format tab

Select the dialog box launcher in the WordArt Styles group on a PC (see figure 6) or the Format Pane button on a Mac (see figure 7).

WordArt Styles dialog box launcher in Word 365 — Figure 6. WordArt Styles dialog box launcher (PC)

Format Pane button in Word for Mac — Figure 7. Format Pane button (Mac)

Select the Text Options tab in the Format Shape pane. (PC users should already be in this tab.)

Text Options tab in the Format Shape pane in Word 365 — Figure 8. Text Options tab

Select the Layout & Properties button.

Layout and Properties button in the Format Shape pane in Word 365 — Figure 9. Layout & Properties button

Use the alignment and margin options to adjust the text’s position in the shape. (Note that these position changes are limited. Use the WordArt method shown below for additional placement control.)

Text alignment and margin options in the Format Shape pane in Word 365 — Figure 10. Text alignment and margin position options

Select the X to close the Format Shape pane.

Closing X in the Format Shape pane in Word 365 — Figure 11. Closing X

Pro Tip: Using this method, you can insert text and an image into the same shape. In addition, the order of insertion doesn’t matter; the text will always appear on the top.

How to Use WordArt to Insert Text into Shapes

If you are going to insert an image into the shape, I recommend doing so before starting this process.

Select the Insert tab.

Insert tab in Word 365 — Figure 12. Insert tab

Select WordArt in the Text group.

WordArt button in Word 365 — Figure 13. WordArt button

Select a style from the drop-down menu. (This style can be modified later.)

WordArt menu in Word 365 — Figure 14. WordArt menu

A WordArt text box will appear.

WordArt text box in Word 365 — Figure 15. WordArt text box

Type your text into the text box, drag the text box over the shape, and then use the resizing handles to place it over the shape in the desired position.

WordArt with resizing handles positioned over shape in Word 365 — Figure 16. WordArt with resizing handles positioned over shape

Pro Tip: Use the Rotation handle at the top of the text box to rotate the text as desired.

WordArt rotation handle in Word 365 — Figure 17. Rotation handle

How to Modify the Font

Select the Home tab (see figure 3).
Select the text and use the font options in the Font group to adjust the font style, size, and color. You can also add text effects and typography (see figure 4).

How to Group the Text and Shape

Select the WordArt text box and then press and hold the Shift key as you select the shape. Now the text box and the shape should both be selected.