Removing text box borders in Excel 2013 is a straightforward process. Simply select the text box, navigate to the ‘Format’ tab, click on ‘Shape Outline’, and choose ‘No Outline’. Voila, the border is gone!
After completing this action, the text box will blend seamlessly with the surrounding cells, assuming the background color matches. This creates a cleaner, more professional look for your spreadsheet.
Introduction
When working with Excel 2013, you will often find yourself needing to add text boxes to your spreadsheets. These boxes can be used for a variety of purposes, such as adding comments, instructions, or titles. However, sometimes the default border around the text box can be distracting or clash with the design of your spreadsheet. In such cases, you might find yourself wanting to remove that pesky border to create a more integrated look.
Understanding how to remove a text box border in Excel 2013 is important for anyone looking to improve the aesthetic of their spreadsheets. This skill is relevant to all Excel users, from students organizing data for a project to professionals preparing a report for a business meeting. By removing the border, you can ensure that the focus remains on the content rather than the box itself.
Step by Step Tutorial to Remove Text Box Border in Excel 2013
Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what we aim to achieve. By following these instructions, you will remove the visible border from around your text box, making the content look like it’s floating on the spreadsheet.
Step 1: Select the text box
Click on the text box you wish to edit.
Selecting the text box activates the ‘Drawing Tools’ which is necessary for the following steps. Ensure you have clicked on the edge of the text box to select it properly.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Format’ tab
Look for the ‘Format’ tab on the Excel ribbon and click it.
The ‘Format’ tab is part of the ‘Drawing Tools’ and contains options for modifying the appearance of your text box.
Step 3: Click on ‘Shape Outline’
Find the ‘Shape Outline’ button within the ‘Format’ tab.
This button opens a menu that allows you to change the color, weight, and style of the text box border.
Step 4: Choose ‘No Outline’
From the ‘Shape Outline’ menu, select the ‘No Outline’ option.
Choosing ‘No Outline’ will immediately remove the border from your text box. Make sure to click away from the text box to see the result.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Cleaner Spreadsheet Design | Removing the text box border leads to a neater, more organized look for your spreadsheet. This can be particularly beneficial when presenting data or sharing your work with others. |
| Enhanced Focus on Content | Without the distraction of a border, the content within the text box becomes the focal point. This helps to draw the reader’s attention to the information that matters. |
| Increased Flexibility in Design | When the border is removed, it gives you more freedom to place text boxes over varying background colors or images without a clashing border. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Potential for Less Structure | Without a border, it can sometimes be challenging to distinguish the text box from other elements in the spreadsheet, potentially making the layout seem less structured. |
| May Require Additional Formatting | If your text box is over a different colored cell or image, you may need to adjust the text box fill color to match the background for a truly borderless look. |
| Risk of Accidental Deletion | A borderless text box might be harder to spot, increasing the chance of accidentally deleting important information when making other edits to the spreadsheet. |
Additional Information
While removing a text box border in Excel 2013 can greatly enhance the visual appeal of your spreadsheet, there are a few additional tips that can help ensure your text box looks just right. For instance, if your text box is over cells of varying colors, you might also want to set the fill color of the text box to ‘No Fill’ to maintain the borderless effect.
Additionally, remember that text boxes can be resized, moved, and formatted in various ways. Play around with font sizes, styles, and colors to make your content stand out as needed. Also, consider the alignment of your text within the text box; sometimes center-aligned text can look more balanced in a borderless box.
Lastly, if you ever need to add the border back or change its style, you can easily do so by following similar steps and selecting a different option from the ‘Shape Outline’ menu.
Summary
- Select the text box
- Navigate to the ‘Format’ tab
- Click on ‘Shape Outline’
- Choose ‘No Outline’
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I remove the border from multiple text boxes at once?
Yes, hold down the ‘Ctrl’ key and click on each text box you want to edit, then follow the same steps to remove the borders.
Will removing the border affect the text inside the box?
No, the content inside the text box will remain unaffected.
Can I undo this action if I change my mind?
Absolutely, just click on the text box, go back to ‘Shape Outline’ and choose a border style.
What if ‘No Outline’ is not visible in the menu?
Make sure you have the text box selected and the ‘Drawing Tools’ are activated. If it’s still not visible, try restarting Excel.
Can I apply the same border removal to shapes?
Yes, the process for removing borders from shapes is identical to that for text boxes.
Conclusion
Mastering the simple yet impactful skill of removing a text box border in Excel 2013 can significantly elevate the professionalism and clarity of your spreadsheets. This seemingly minor adjustment is a prime example of how paying attention to detail can make a big difference in the presentation of your data.
Whether for personal, educational, or business purposes, knowing how to refine the visual elements of your spreadsheets is an invaluable tool in your Excel arsenal. So the next time you find yourself wanting to clean up your spreadsheet’s design, remember this guide and make those borders disappear with ease.
Matt Jacobs has been working as an IT consultant for small businesses since receiving his Master’s degree in 2003. While he still does some consulting work, his primary focus now is on creating technology support content for SupportYourTech.com.
His work can be found on many websites and focuses on topics such as Microsoft Office, Apple devices, Android devices, Photoshop, and more.