How to Add a Border in Word

How to Add a Border in Word

Adding a border in Microsoft Word is a great way to make your whole document (or a specific section) stand out, and add some style. You can add many borders, including solid lines, dotted lines, or even a picture frame. This article will show you how to add a border in Word. Follow these steps to see how.

Adding a Page border

Read this section if you want to add a border to the entire page or document.

  1. Open your document and click on Design in the menu bar.
  2. In the “Page Background” section on the top-right, select Page Borders.

    Add Border Word Step 1
    Click on Design on the menu bar. Next, click on Page Borders at the top-right corner of your screen to open the Borders and Shading dialogue box.

  3. This will open the “Borders and Shading dialogue box. The Page Border tab is selected by default.

    Add Border in Word Borders Shading Dialogue Box
    The Borders and Shading dialogue Box looks like this when it opens.

  4. Select your desired setting for the page border in the “Setting” section. This includes using a BoxShadow3D, or Custom style as your border.

    Add Borders in Word Page Borders Step 4
    Select the setting you want for your page border. For example, I selected the Box setting for this tutorial.

  5. In the “Style” section, you can select your border’s line style, color, and width.

    Add Border Word Step 5
    Choose the style you want for the page border. Click the scroll button to see more styles.

  6. Click on the drop-down arrow in the Color” section to select a color for your border. For example, I chose the blue color.

    Add Border Color Word step 6
    Select the color you want your page border to have. I’ve selected the blue color.

  7. If you want to use an art style as your border design, you can select any style from the Art drop-down box.

    Add Border Art Word Step 7
    Choose an art style if you want to use an art design for your border.

  8. To apply your selections to the whole document or the current page, click on the drop-down arrow in the “Apply to” section. The preview section will show you a preview of your page. Click OK to apply the page border to your document.

    Add Border Word Apply To Step 8
    Click on the Apply to section to choose where to apply the border settings.

  9. This is what your page border will look like when you click Ok.

    Add Border Word Final
    Depending on your settings, colors, and art styles, the page border will look like this on your page.

Adding a border around a specific text

Word also allows you to add borders to specific sections of text. Text borders offer a great way to capture your readers’ attention to a specific place.

Method 1: Using Page Borders sub-menu

  1. Highlight the text you want to add a text border to.

    Add Text Border Word Highlight text
    Highlight the text you want to add a border to.

  2. Click on Design in the menu bar. Then, click on Page Borders.

    Add Border Word Step 1
    Click on Design on the menu bar. Next, click on Page Borders, located at the top-right corner of your screen, to open the Borders and Shading dialogue box.

  3. The “Borders and Shading” dialogue box opens. Select the Borders tab.

    Add Text Border Word Borders Tab
    Click on the Borders tab to begin.

  4. Select your preferred style, width, and colors. Then, ensure that the Paragraph option is selected in the “Apply to” section.

    Add Text Border Word Apply Settings Styles
    Select your setting, color, and size for the text border.

  5. Click OK.
    Add Text Border Word Apply To Paragraph
    Your text border will be similar, depending on your borders and shading dialogue box settings.
    Add Text Border Word Apply To Text
    When you select the text option in the Apply to section, you’ll have this.

    Note: If you choose the “Text” option instead, it will show a background around each line of text.

Method 2: Using the Borders sub-menu in the Home menu

  1. Highlight the desired text you want to apply a border to.

    Add Text Border Word Highlight text
    Highlight the text you want to add a border to.

  2. Click on the Home menu. Select the Borders icon in the “Paragraph” section.
  3. Click on any border style from the options listed to automatically apply it to the text you highlighted.
    Note: Word chooses a border style based on your last used settings.

    Add Text Border Word Borders Icon 4
    Click on any of the border options listed.

  4. If you want to format or choose your border styles, click on the Borders and Shading option to open the “Borders and Shading” dialogue box.

    Add Text Border Word Borders Icon 3
    Click on the border option you want to apply to your text automatically.

Phoebe is an HR assistant in her day job, but is also a web blogger that loves writing guides and sharing her experiences. When she is not out with her friends, she enjoys traveling or binge-watching Netflix. She graduated with a BA in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Utah, and is a chief editor at TechObservatory.

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