Microsoft Word - Easy way to put borders around text?

Web-Junkie · 27-03-2011, 18:49

I have Office 2010, but don't use Word too much, only for standard letters and the odd document with pictures, but someone asked me how to put a border around some text and couldn't see an easy way to do it, they use Office 2003 though. I can do page borders easy enough but borders around text stumped me.

I messed about and found the following ways:

1. Create a Text Box and drag it to the same place as the original text and adjust the border when it's in place. The only issue I see with this is getting the text to fall on the same line spacing as the original text.

2. Highlight the line of text, goto page borders, select the borders tab, select 'apply to: Text' drop down and select the border. The problem I found with this was how to adjust the left/right edges of the border so it's not too close to the first/last letter of the text?

3. Insert a 1 x 1 Table around the text which seemed to be the best way. I could change the left/right edges, adjust line thickness using the Border options, the only drawback is you can't do 3-D borders!

4. With the table tool again draw a 1 x 1 table around the text, the problem I found with this was the bottom of the box couldn't be dragged up to the text so left a larger gap below the text than above it!!

Method 3 seemed the best, but does anyone know a better/easier way?

TheNorm · 27-03-2011, 18:54

There is a difference between text, paragraph and page borders.

For some Word 2007 hints, have a look here: http://www.msoffice-tutorial-trainin...7-borders.html

Osem · 27-03-2011, 20:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

There is a difference between text, paragraph and page borders.

For some Word 2007 hints, have a look here: http://www.msoffice-tutorial-trainin...7-borders.html

Don't suppose you have a free 24 hour hotline do you?

TheNorm · 27-03-2011, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Osem

Don't suppose you have a free 24 hour hotline do you?

Yes, but it is nothing to do with computers and I'm not allowed to give details on a family forum.

haydnwalker · 27-03-2011, 21:45

You could:

1. Cut the text and then draw the text box, and paste the text into it

or

2. Use the drawing toolbox to draw your border around the text and align as appropriate

Osem · 27-03-2011, 21:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheNorm

Yes, but it is nothing to do with computers and I'm not allowed to give details on a family forum.

PM me????

Web-Junkie · 27-03-2011, 22:46

That link is about Page Borders/Border Art, what I'm trying to do is put straight line borders around a piece of text.

---------- Post added at 22:46 ---------- Previous post was at 22:24 ----------

@haydnwalker: The second method is where I got stuck, Office 2010 allows you to draw a rectangle but it's not transparent so the text is hidden when the rectangle is moved over it, this would be great if not for the non-transparent problem.

Drawing lines didn't seem straight forward, at least not in Word 2010, looked at the help and started going into New Drawing Canvas and Connectors, too many steps to keep it simple!

TheNorm · 28-03-2011, 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Web-Junkie

That link is about Page Borders/Border Art, what I'm trying to do is put straight line borders around a piece of text....

Eh? The first paragraph is titled:

Quote:

To add Word 2007 borders and shading to text

Other paragraphs cover page borders.

Anyway, if it was me I would use text boxes, especially if you only want to put borders around a limited amount of text. Also, I turn off the "drawing canvas" feature, as I find it confusing.

oliver1948uk · 28-03-2011, 09:44

I use Office 2007 and this is what I would do:

INSERT > TEXT BOX > CHOOSE SIMPLE TEXT BOX > REPLACE WORDS THERE WITH YOUR WORDS

Make sure text box is highlighted, at top click on TEXT BOX TOOLS. Adjust borders, fill (including transparent - no fill), shadow etc. from options.

By default, it will be IN LINE WITH TEXT (ie moves up and down with cursor). If you want it left or right of main text, or in front of text:
TEXT BOX TOOLS > POSITION > MORE LAYOUT OPTIONS.
Except for IN LINE WITH TEXT, it will now allow you to move the box where you want on the page.

Web-Junkie · 28-03-2011, 18:12

@TheNorm: Correct, I was looking at another page that was just about borders and got the page mixed up, sorry!

@oliver1948uk: I've played a bit with text boxes now so I know what you're saying.

The consensus then is to use Text Boxes and adjust as necessary. Will do this next time I see the person in question as we can sit down and try it out.

+Rep and Thanks!