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How to Insert a Text Box in Word 2016
Edited 3 months ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team
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Microsoft Word 2016 is a versatile word processor that allows users to create a wide range of documents, from simple text-based files to complex documents filled with visuals and formatted text. One of the features that enhances document presentation in Microsoft Word is the text box. Text boxes are a great way to place text inside a document, allowing you to place it in different locations, apply special effects, and add some flair to your work. But how do you insert a text box in Word 2016? Let's look at formatting it in a simple and understandable guide, along with some practical tips and tricks.
First of all, the text box feature in Word 2016 provides an encapsulated space for text. This can be useful in many scenarios such as when you are working on a newsletter, flyer, or any document that requires some kind of creative design element. Text boxes give you more control over the appearance and placement of text without affecting the main document structure. Let's dive into the step-by-step process of inserting and customizing a text box in Word 2016.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word 2016
The first step, of course, is to launch Microsoft Word 2016. You can do this by finding the Microsoft Word icon on your desktop or applications list and double-clicking on it. Once Word is open, either start a new document or open an existing document where you want to insert the text box.
Step 2: Go to the Insert tab
Once your document is ready, focus your attention on the ribbon at the top of the Word window. The ribbon contains several tabs such as Home, Insert, Design, etc. Click on the Insert tab. This tab contains all the elements you can input into your document, such as tables, images, shapes, and text boxes.
Step 3: Select the text box
After successfully clicking the Insert tab, look for the Text Box button. It is usually located in the Text group, along with other features like signature lines and objects. Click the Text Box button, and you will see a dropdown menu.
Step 4: Choose a text box template
In the dropdown that appears after clicking Text Box, you'll see several pre-defined text box styles. Word offers a variety of templates such as Simple Text Box, Austin Quote, Badge, and more, each offering different design aesthetics. For beginners, Simple Text Box is highly recommended, as it gives you a straightforward, no-frills box that you can easily adjust. But if you're working on a project that requires a bit more creativity, you might want to consider trying some of the more decorative options.
Step 5: Inserting the text box
Once you've chosen the template or style you want to use, simply click on it. Immediately, Word will insert a new text box into your document that you can drag to the position of your choice. At this point, your text box is empty, ready to hold whatever text or content you want to input.
Step 6: Editing the text box
After inserting a text box into your document, you can now begin personalizing it to suit your needs. Click inside the text box, and begin typing to add your text. The text box behaves like a mini document within your main document, where you can apply all sorts of formatting. You can change the font, text size, color, and other common adjustments, all of which are present in the text box itself.
Step 7: Formatting the text box
In addition to the text, you also have several customization options for the text box format. Click the text box to make sure it is selected. This will show the Drawing Tools/Format tab in the ribbon, which is exclusive to text boxes. Here, you can change the background color, border color, and border style of the text box, as well as other properties. Want to learn how each feature works? Let's learn about them:
Changing the background color
To change the background color of your text box, click the Shape Fill option in the Drawing Tools/Format tab. A palette will appear from which you can choose a color. This fills the entire background of the text box with your chosen color.
Modify the border style
To modify the border, you need the Shape Outline option. Here, you can choose not only the color, but also the line weight (or thickness), and even change your border to a dashed line if needed. If you don't want any border, simply select No Outline from the available options.
Add effects to a text box
Additionally, Word 2016 allows you to add some great effects to your text box in the Shape Effects menu. You can place shadows, reflections, glows, and more around your text box, adding a layer of depth and style.
Step 8: Resizing and moving the text box
Once your text box is filled out and formatted to your liking, you may want to adjust its size to fit your content correctly. To do this, click and drag the corners of the text box. Dragging while holding down the Shift key will maintain the dimensions. Moving the text box is just as simple. Click anywhere on the border and drag it to the desired location.
Step 9: Rotating the text box
If placement is important to your design, you may want to rotate your text box. Clicking the green rotation handle at the top allows you to rotate the box in any direction. For precise rotation, right-click the text box and select "Format Shape." From the Format Shape panel, you'll find options that let you specify precise rotation measurements.
Step 10: Linking the text boxes
Another attractive feature of text boxes in Word is the ability to link them. This is especially useful for long documents like reports or brochures where text flow is essential. By linking text boxes, text overflow from one box automatically moves to the other. Click the first text box, go to Drawing Tools, and choose "Create Link" from the Format tab. A bucket icon appears, which you can use to click the next text box you want to link.
Step 11: Delete the text box
If a text box is no longer needed, deleting it is easy. Select the text box by clicking its border, then press the Delete key on your keyboard. The text box and its contents will be removed from your document.
Practical example: Creating a newsletter section
Let's consider a practical example to demonstrate the usefulness of text boxes. Suppose you are preparing a newsletter in Word 2016 and want to have different sections highlighting events, news, and announcements. Text boxes allow you to create eye-catching features between standard paragraphs.
Start with a standard newsletter template or from scratch. Use text boxes to create sections such as "Upcoming Events." Customize these boxes with colored backgrounds and bold headings to set them apart from other content. Place them strategically on the pages, so readers can find them easily.
Tips and tricks
- Use the grid: Align your text boxes evenly by enabling gridlines on your document. This helps with precise positioning and consistency, especially in multi-page documents.
- Layering: Bring certain elements forward or send them to the back to layer text boxes over images for creative designs.
- Group: If you used multiple text boxes together, group them to make sure they go together and maintain alignment.
Conclusion
Text boxes in Word 2016 serve as a great tool to enhance document creativity and structure, giving you the power to create diverse layouts that make your documents stand out. By following the steps outlined, you can easily bring text boxes into your workflow, modifying them as you like. Remember that practice makes perfect; the more you play with Word's features, the more confident you'll be in creating stunning documents. Happy text boxing!
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