How to Add a Text Box in Google Docs

A text box in Google Docs can be a game-changer for organizing your document, emphasizing certain pieces of text, or just making your document look a bit snazzier. To add a text box, you’ll first need to insert a drawing, add a text box to that drawing, type your text, customize it as desired, and then save and close the drawing. It might sound like a handful, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a breeze!

What Happens After Adding a Text Box?

Once you’ve successfully added a text box to your Google Docs document, you can move it around, resize it, and edit the text inside it whenever you need to. It becomes a flexible element that enhances your document’s layout and structure, helping you to convey your message more effectively.

Introduction

Google Docs is a fantastic tool for creating and editing documents on the go. It’s user-friendly, accessible, and packed with features. However, one feature that’s not immediately apparent is how to add a text box. But worry not! Adding a text box in Google Docs is simpler than it seems, and in the next few paragraphs, I’ll guide you through each step of the process.

Related: How to Center a Google Docs Table

Step by Step Guide to Creating a Text Box

Step 1: Open Your Google Docs Document

First things first, you need to have your Google Docs document open. If you haven’t created one yet, head to Google Docs, click on a blank document, and voilà, you’re all set!

Step 2: Go to the Drawing Tool

Click on “Insert” in the top menu, find and hover over “Drawing,” and then select “+ New.” This opens up the drawing dialogue box where the magic happens.

Step 3: Add a Text Box

Inside the drawing dialogue box, click on the text box icon (it looks like a little T inside a box). Now, click and drag your cursor to draw a text box.

Step 4: Enter Your Text

Click inside the text box and start typing your text. You can adjust the font, size, and other formatting options just like you would with regular text in Google Docs.

Step 5: Customize Your Text Box

Want to add a splash of color or a border? Click on the three dots in the top right corner of the text box, and you’ll find options to customize the fill color, border color, border weight, and border dash.

Step 6: Save and Close

Once you’re happy with how your text box looks, click “Save and Close” in the top right corner of the drawing dialogue box.

Step 7: Position the Text Box

Your text box will now appear in your document. Click and drag to position it wherever you’d like, and use the squares on the corners and sides to resize it.

Why Add a Text Box?

Adding a text box to your Google Doc can be beneficial for various reasons. It’s an excellent way to highlight important information, create visually appealing layouts, or segregate text that needs to stand out from the rest of your document. It’s all about enhancing the reader’s experience and ensuring that your document communicates your message effectively.

Pros

1. Enhanced Organization: Text boxes help in organizing content in a structured manner.
2. Focus on Important Content: They are great for highlighting key information.
3. Improved Aesthetics: Text boxes can make a document look more professional and visually appealing.
4. Flexibility: You can easily move and resize text boxes as per your document’s layout needs.
5. Creativity: Unleash your creative side with various customization options.

Cons

1. Learning Curve: For new users, the process might seem a bit roundabout.
2. Limited Text Features: Not all text features are available inside a text box.
3. Potential for Clutter: Overuse or mismanagement of text boxes can lead to a cluttered document.
4. Time-Consuming: Initially, adding and customizing text boxes can be a bit time-consuming.

Additional Information

While Google Docs doesn’t have a direct text box tool like some other word processors, the drawing tool offers a great workaround. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find that it offers a decent level of flexibility and customization. Additionally, remember that you can copy and paste the text box within your document or even into another Google Docs document.

Summarized Process

1. Open your Google Docs document.
2. Navigate to “Insert” > “Drawing” > “+ New.”
3. Use the text box tool in the drawing dialogue box to draw a text box.
4. Type and format your text.
5. Customize the appearance of your text box as desired.
6. Click “Save and Close.”
7. Position and resize the text box in your document.

FAQs

1. Can I add a text box in Google Docs on mobile? Yes, but the process is a bit different and might be limited compared to the desktop version.
2. Can I change the shape of the text box? Google Docs’ drawing tool offers a variety of shapes, but the text box itself has a rectangular shape.
3. Can I link text inside a text box to other parts of the document? Text inside a text box cannot be directly linked, but you can work around this by adding text outside the text box and then positioning it on top.
4. Is there a limit to how many text boxes I can add to a document? There’s no set limit, but remember that too many text boxes can make your document look cluttered.
5. Can other people edit my text box if I share the document with them? Yes, as long as you give them editing permissions, they can edit the text box.

Conclusion

Adding a text box in Google Docs might seem a bit tricky at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s a straightforward process. Whether you’re looking to highlight important information, create a visually appealing layout, or simply break up the monotony of text in your document, a text box can be the perfect solution. Follow the steps outlined above, and you’ll be adding text boxes to your Google Docs like a pro in no time!