To put a box around text in Word, select the text, go to the Home tab, select the arrow next to the Borders button in the Paragraph group, and choose Outside Borders. Word draws a box around the selected paragraphs. For a thicker or colored box, choose Borders and Shading from the same menu. If you want a box you can drag anywhere on the page, insert a text box instead.
Applies to: Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2024, 2021, 2019 and 2016 on Windows and Mac, and Word for the web. Last reviewed October 8, 2026.
Method 1: Outside Borders (quickest)
- Select the paragraph or paragraphs.
- On the Home tab, select the arrow next to Borders (it looks like a square divided into four).
- Choose Outside Borders.
The box stretches from the left margin to the right margin. To make it narrower, drag the paragraph’s indent markers on the ruler inward.
Method 2: Borders and Shading (custom style)
- Select the text and choose Borders > Borders and Shading.
- On the Borders tab, select Box or Shadow under Setting.
- Choose a Style (solid, dashed, double), Color and Width.
- Under Apply to, choose:
- Paragraph to box the whole paragraph from margin to margin.
- Text to box only the selected words, wrapping tightly around them like a highlight.
- To add a background color, open the Shading tab and pick a Fill.
- Select Options to set the space between the text and the box. Then select OK.
To put a border around the whole page instead, see how to add a border in Word.
Method 3: Text box (movable)
- Go to Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box.
- Drag to draw the box, then type or paste your text into it.
- Use the Shape Format tab to change the Shape Outline (border) and Shape Fill.
- Select Layout Options next to the box to choose how body text wraps around it.
Text boxes are good for callouts and sidebars because you can move them freely. For tips on positioning, see how to place a picture anywhere in Word; the same layout options apply.
Method 4: A one-cell table
Go to Insert > Table and select a single cell (1×1). Type inside it. Tables keep the box inside the text flow, resize automatically as you type, and are easy to style with Table Design > Borders. This works well for forms and notes that must stay in place.
Which method should you use?
- Highlighting a key paragraph or tip: Outside Borders or Borders and Shading.
- Boxing a word or phrase inside a sentence: Borders and Shading with Apply to: Text.
- A callout that sits beside the text: text box.
- A fixed area in a form: one-cell table.
Remove the box
Select the boxed text and choose Borders > No Border. For a text box, set Shape Outline to No Outline, or select the box’s edge and press Delete to remove it with its text. See how to remove a border line in Word for stubborn lines.
Troubleshooting
The box covers several paragraphs I didn’t select
Adjacent paragraphs with the same border settings merge into one box. Select the extra paragraph and choose No Border, or give them different indents.
A box appears every time I press Enter
New paragraphs inherit the border. Press Enter, then choose No Border on the new line.
A line appeared after typing three dashes
That’s AutoFormat. Press Ctrl+Z straight after, or turn it off in File > Options > Proofing > AutoCorrect Options > AutoFormat As You Type > Border lines.
Frequently asked questions
Can I round the corners?
Not with paragraph borders. Insert a Rounded Rectangle shape from Insert > Shapes, right-click it and choose Add Text.
Does it work in Word for the web?
Yes. Outside Borders is on the Home tab. Some Borders and Shading options need the desktop app.
Related: how to insert a horizontal line in Word.
Related: type on top of a line in Word.
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.