To border a selected spot on Microsoft Word, you need to highlight the text or area you want to border, navigate to the ‘Design’ tab, click on ‘Page Borders’, and select your preferred style, color, and width. Once applied, the borders will encase your selected text or area, enhancing its appearance and drawing attention to it.
After completing the action, your document will have a more structured and visually appealing look. The bordered area will stand out, making it easier for readers to identify key sections or information.
Introduction
When it comes to document formatting, borders can be your best friend. They have the power to transform a bland page of text into an organized, visually appealing masterpiece. Whether you’re a student looking to add pizzazz to a school report, a professional wanting to highlight important sections in a business document, or just someone who likes to keep their recipes neatly bordered in their digital cookbook, knowing how to add a border in Microsoft Word is an essential skill.
In today’s digital age, where content is king, a well-presented document can make all the difference. It can mean the difference between a reader skimming through your work and one who is fully engaged. Borders help by breaking up text and defining sections, guiding the reader’s eye to the most critical parts of your document. They add a touch of professionalism and can even align with branding for business documents. Let’s dive into how you can elevate your Word documents with the simple, yet powerful addition of borders.
Step by Step Tutorial on How to Border a Selected Spot
Before we start, make sure you have your Microsoft Word document open and the text or area you want to border is ready.
Step 1: Highlight the text or area
Click and drag over the text or area you wish to border.
Once you’ve selected the text, it’s ready for the border treatment. Ensure that you’ve only highlighted what you want to be bordered, as these are the only parts that will be affected by the following steps.
Step 2: Navigate to the ‘Design’ tab
Click on the ‘Design’ tab located at the top of the Word window.
This tab houses a lot of formatting tools, including page borders, which is what we’ll be using to apply your border.
Step 3: Click on ‘Page Borders’
Find and click on the ‘Page Borders’ button within the ‘Page Background’ group of options.
A new window titled ‘Borders and Shading’ will open, offering various border options.
Step 4: Select border style, color, and width
In the ‘Borders’ tab, choose your preferred style, color, and width for the border.
You can preview how the border will look in the ‘Preview’ section on the right side of the window.
Step 5: Apply the border
Once you’re happy with the border design, click ‘OK’ to apply it to the selected text or area.
Your document should now display the border encasing the selected text, giving it a more prominent and professional look.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Enhanced Visual Appeal | Borders add a creative touch, making the document more attractive and engaging for the reader. |
| Emphasizes Important Information | By surrounding key text with borders, you can draw the reader’s attention to the most vital parts of your document. |
| Increased Organization | Borders help to segment and organize information, making your document easier to navigate and understand. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Can Be Distracting | If overused or too elaborate, borders can detract from the content and overwhelm the reader. |
| Limited Customization | While Word offers various border styles, there may be limitations in customizing them to fit very specific design needs. |
| Potential Formatting Issues | Borders may cause formatting issues when converting Word documents to other formats or when printing. |
Additional Information
Adding a border to a selected spot in your Microsoft Word document can have a transformative effect, turning a dull page into something that captures the reader’s attention. However, the key is to use borders judiciously. Overusing them can make your document look cluttered, and choosing a style that’s too decorative may not be suitable for more professional documents.
Remember, the ultimate goal is to enhance your document, not distract from the content. A single, well-placed border can often be more effective than multiple ones. Also, consider the color of your border; it should complement the text and the overall design of your document. If you’re working within a brand’s guidelines, make sure your border aligns with the brand’s style and color scheme.
Finally, it’s worth noting that you can also apply borders to images and other objects within Word, following similar steps. With a little practice, you’ll be adding borders like a pro, bringing a new level of polish to all your Word documents.
Summary
- Highlight the text or area you want to border.
- Navigate to the ‘Design’ tab.
- Click on ‘Page Borders’.
- Select your preferred border style, color, and width.
- Apply the border to the selected text or area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply borders to specific pages only?
Yes, within the ‘Borders and Shading’ window, under the ‘Apply to’ section, you can choose to apply borders to specific sections or pages.
Can I use custom images for borders?
Microsoft Word does not support custom images for borders. You can only choose from the predefined border styles.
How do I remove a border?
To remove a border, follow the same steps to get to the ‘Borders and Shading’ window, then under the ‘Setting’ options, select ‘None’ and click ‘OK’.
Can I apply borders to tables?
Yes, you can apply borders to tables by selecting the table and then choosing ‘Borders’ from the ‘Design’ tab under ‘Table Tools’.
Will my borders appear the same when printed?
Borders should print as they appear in the document, but it’s a good idea to do a print preview or print a test page to ensure they look right in print.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to border a selected spot on Microsoft Word, you’re well-equipped to create documents that not only communicate effectively but also captivate your audience visually. Borders are more than just decorative lines; they’re a tool for emphasizing the most crucial parts of your content, organizing information, and adding a professional touch to your work.
As you incorporate borders into your documents, keep in mind the balance between form and function. A well-chosen border can indeed be the difference between a document that gets skimmed and one that gets read. So go ahead, give your Word documents the border treatment, and watch them come to life!
Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.
After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.
His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.