Word Create Border Around Text? Here’s How

Yes, Microsoft Word can create a border around text, and you can do it in two main ways: as a paragraph border that wraps around a line or block of text, or as a page border that frames the entire page. This article explains both methods, how to customize them, and how to fix common issues.

Formula

The calculator estimates the total width (in points) of a bordered text box. It adds the border thickness on both sides to the padding on both sides:

Total width = border thickness + 2 × padding

• t – border thickness in points (pt)
• p – padding (space between text and border) in points (pt)
• w – total width added by the border and padding, in points (pt)

This is useful for estimating how much extra space a border will take when you’re designing a flyer or a resume.

Worked Example

Using the default values: border thickness = 1 pt, padding = 4 pt.

1. Add the border thickness on both sides: 1 + 1 = 2 pt
2. Add the padding on both sides: 4 + 4 = 8 pt
3. Total width = 2 + 8 = 10 pt

The calculator shows 10 pt, which matches.

Two Ways to Add a Border Around Text in Word

Word offers two distinct border features, and it’s important to know which one you need.

• Paragraph border – surrounds a selected paragraph or a few lines of text. It moves with the text when you edit.
• Page border – frames the entire page, independent of the text. It stays in the same place on the page.

For a border around a single word or a short phrase, you can use the paragraph border on that text. For a border around the whole document, use the page border.

How to Add a Paragraph Border

1. Select the text you want to border (a word, line, or paragraph).
2. Go to the Home tab.
3. In the Paragraph group, click the Borders button (it looks like a square with four lines).
4. Choose Borders and Shading… at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
5. In the dialog box, select the Borders tab.
6. Pick a style (solid, dashed, dotted, etc.), color, and width.
7. In the Apply to box, choose Paragraph (or Text if you want the border to wrap tightly around the selected words).
8. Click OK.

If you choose Text, the border will wrap around each selected line individually. If you choose Paragraph, the border will be a single rectangle around the whole paragraph.

How to Add a Page Border

1. Go to the Design tab (or Layout in some versions).
2. Click Page Borders (in the Page Background group).
3. In the dialog box, choose the Page Border tab.
4. Select a style, color, and width.
5. Under Apply to, choose Whole document or a specific section.
6. Click OK.

You can also add a border to only the first page, or to all pages except the first, using the Apply to drop-down.

Customizing the Border Appearance

Both paragraph and page borders let you control the look beyond just the line style.

• Style – solid, dashed, dotted, double, or even artistic (for page borders only).
• Color – any theme color or custom RGB color.
• Width – from ¼ pt to 6 pt (for page borders, up to 31 pt).
• Padding – the space between the text and the border (paragraph borders) or between the page edge and the border (page borders).
• Apply to – text, paragraph, section, or whole document.

For a page border, you can also choose an Art drop-down to use a decorative graphic border (like stars or hearts).

Common Problems and How to Fix Them

Here are the most frequent issues people run into when adding borders in Word.

• Border doesn’t appear – Make sure you’re in Print Layout view. In Web Layout view, page borders are hidden.
• Border is too close to the text – Increase the padding in the Borders and Shading dialog box.
• Border only appears on some pages – Check the Apply to setting. If it’s set to “This section,� it will only show on pages in that section.
• Can’t remove a border – Select the text, go to Borders and Shading, and choose None under Setting.
• Border moves when I edit text – This is normal for paragraph borders. If you want a fixed border, use a page border or place the text in a text box.

Comparing Paragraph vs. Page Borders

Which one should you use? It depends on your goal.

• Paragraph border – best for highlighting a quote, a callout, or a short note within a page. It moves with the text, so it’s great for editing.
• Page border – best for a decorative frame around the entire page, like for a certificate or a title page. It stays fixed and doesn’t shift when you edit the text.

You can also use both at the same time: a page border for the whole page and a paragraph border for a specific block of text.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I add a border around a single word?

Yes. Select just the word, then open Borders and Shading and choose Text in the “Apply to� box. The border will wrap around the word like a box.

How do I remove a border from text?

Select the text, go to Borders and Shading, and choose None under Setting. For a page border, go to Design → Page Borders and select None.

Why is my page border not printing?

Check the printer settings. Some printers have a “print background� option that must be enabled. In Word, go to File → Options → Display and check “Print background colors and images.� Also, make sure the border isn’t set to a very light color.

Can I use a picture as a border?

For a page border, yes – Word has a built-in Art drop-down with many decorative graphics. For a paragraph border, you can’t use a picture directly, but you can insert a picture and wrap text around it.

How do I make the border thicker?

In the Borders and Shading dialog, increase the Width value. For paragraph borders, the maximum is 6 pt; for page borders, it’s 31 pt.

Does the border affect the text layout?

A paragraph border adds a small amount of space around the text (the padding). This can shift the text slightly. You can adjust the padding in the Borders and Shading dialog to control the exact spacing.

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in t | Border thickness | pt | 1 | 0.25 | 6
in p | Padding from text | pt | 4 | 0 | 20
sel s | Border style | None=0, Solid=1, Dashed=2, Dotted=3 | 1
out w | Approx. line width | pt | t + 2 * p | 1