Alex Ruben
How to Add Borders in Microsoft Word
Adding borders in Microsoft Word is an effective way to enhance the visual appeal of your documents. Borders can be applied to text, images, tables, and pages themselves, allowing for a personalized touch that can help emphasize important content and create a polished look. In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to add various types of borders, customize their style and thickness, and ensure your documents stand out.
Step 1: Access the Borders Menu
To get started with adding borders in Microsoft Word, you first need to access the Borders menu. Begin by selecting the object you want to apply a border to—this could be a block of text, an image, or a table. If you want to apply a border to the entire page, ensure that you are in the document layout view. Next, navigate to the Design tab on the Ribbon at the top of Word. Here, look for the Page Borders option located in the Page Background section. Click on it to open the Borders and Shading dialog.
Step 2: Choose the Border Type
In the Borders and Shading dialog, you will see various options to customize your border. The Borders tab shows different line styles, colors, and widths. To choose a specific style, simply click on one of the line options provided. You can apply these borders to any side of your selection or even all sides. Adjusting the width and color allows for further customization, tailoring the border to match your document’s theme. Remember to preview your changes in the dialog box before applying them.
Step 3: Applying Page Borders
If you want to apply a border to the entire page rather than a selected object, remain in the Borders and Shading dialog. Switch to the Page Border tab within the dialog. Here, you can select from options such as Box, Shadow, and 3-D styles. Similar to the previous step, you can customize the width and color. Additionally, you can choose whether to add a border to the first page only or all pages of the document. To finalize your selections, click OK.
Step 4: Adding Borders to Tables and Images
For tables or images, selecting the item directly will often reveal options in the Ribbon under the Table Design or Picture Format tabs. For tables, click on the desired cells or the entire table, then navigate to the Table Design tab, where you can find the Borders icon. Clicking this will allow you to toggle borders on or off for specific sides of the cells. For images, use the Picture Format tab, where you can apply a border by selecting the shape outline and choosing the thickness and color you prefer.
Extra Tips & Common Issues
When adding borders, it’s important to keep in mind that excessive borders can clutter your document. Therefore, using whitespace effectively alongside borders can create a well-balanced design. Common issues include using borders that clash with the document’s theme or choosing styles that reduce readability. Always preview your document before finalizing to ensure the borders enhance rather than detract from your content.
Conclusion
Adding borders in Microsoft Word is a simple yet effective method to improve the aesthetics of your documents. By following the steps outlined above, you can easily customize borders around text, images, tables, or entire pages according to your design preferences. Experimenting with different styles and settings will help you create visually appealing documents tailored to your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove borders once they’re added?
Yes, to remove a border, select the item with the border and navigate back to the Borders and Shading dialog. From there, you can choose No Border to remove it completely.
Are there any shortcuts for accessibility when working with borders?
Yes! You can access the Borders and Shading dialog quickly by using the keyboard shortcut Alt + P followed by B to open page borders directly.
Can borders affect print layout?
Borders can influence the final appearance of your document more dramatically when printed, especially edge-to-edge designs. It’s advisable to preview your document in Print Layout mode to see how borders interact with other elements.
