Adding a border to just one page in Microsoft Word might sound like a tricky task, but it’s quite straightforward once you know where to look. In essence, you’re going to use the ‘Page Borders’ feature found within the ‘Design’ tab, specifying that you want the border to apply to ‘This section’ – assuming you’ve used section breaks properly.
After completing the action, you’ll have a single page with a distinct border, which can be great for emphasizing specific content, such as title pages, certificates, or special announcements.
Introduction
When it comes to document formatting, the devil is often in the details. One such detail that can add a touch of professionalism or creativity to your document is the implementation of page borders. While adding borders to every page is a no-brainer, things get a bit more complex when you want to border just one page in a Microsoft Word document.
Why would anyone want to do that, you wonder? Well, think about a report or a project that needs a cover page that stands out, or perhaps a section in your document that needs to be highlighted for emphasis. This is where the skill to add a border to a single page comes in handy. It’s a simple trick that can make all the difference in how your document is perceived, and believe it or not, it’s a feature that’s underused primarily because many people don’t know it’s even possible or how to do it.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone looking to spruce up a personal project, knowing how to add a border to one page can set your document apart. So, let’s dive in and learn how to add that professional or creative flair to your documents.
Step by Step Tutorial – How to Put a Border Around Just One Page on Microsoft Word
Before we start, ensure you’ve inserted a section break where you want your bordered page to be. This step is crucial as it tells Word where the border should start and end.
Step 1: Open the ‘Design’ tab
Click on the ‘Design’ tab on the ribbon.
In this tab, you will find all sorts of options to customize your document’s appearance, including page borders.
Step 2: Click on ‘Page Borders’
In the ‘Page Background’ group of the ‘Design’ tab, click on ‘Page Borders.’
This will open the ‘Borders and Shading’ window, which is where the magic happens.
Step 3: Set the border style
In the ‘Borders and Shading’ window, choose your desired border style, color, width, and any other properties you’d like.
You can get creative here with different styles and colors to match the theme of your document.
Step 4: Select ‘This section’
Under the ‘Apply to’ dropdown menu, select ‘This section.’
Remember, for this to work, you must have already inserted a section break where you want the border to appear.
Step 5: Click ‘OK’
After setting up your border, click ‘OK’ to apply the border to the selected page.
Voilà ! You should now see a border around the page that’s in its own section.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Customized Emphasis | Adding a border to just one page allows for custom emphasis, making that page stand out from the rest. |
| Professional Look | A well-placed border can give your document a touch of professionalism, particularly useful for reports, resumes, or cover pages. |
| Creative Freedom | Having the ability to add borders to individual pages gives you creative freedom to design your document as you see fit. |
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Section Breaks Required | To border a single page, you need to properly use section breaks, which might be a new concept for some users. |
| Potentially Confusing | For those not familiar with Word’s layout options, finding and applying these settings might be confusing at first. |
| Limited to Visual Impact | Borders are primarily a visual element and don’t add functional value to the document, which might not be useful for all users. |
Additional Information
While the steps above have hopefully clarified how to put a border around just one page on Microsoft Word, there are a few additional tips worth mentioning. For instance, if you’re working with a longer document, it’s a good idea to double-check that your section breaks are in the correct place before adding the border. This will save you from the frustration of having to undo and redo your work.
Also, remember that the border will be applied to the entire page. If you’re after a more specific placement, like a border around a paragraph, you’ll need to use a different feature within Word called ‘Borders,’ found under the ‘Home’ tab.
Lastly, have fun with it! Microsoft Word offers a variety of border styles, colors, and art to choose from. This feature is an excellent opportunity to let your creativity shine and to make your documents genuinely your own.
Summary
- Open the ‘Design’ tab.
- Click on ‘Page Borders’.
- Set the border style.
- Select ‘This section’.
- Click ‘OK’.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t have a ‘Design’ tab?
The ‘Design’ tab is a feature in newer versions of Word. If you’re using an older version, you may find similar options under the ‘Page Layout’ or ‘Format’ tabs.
Can I add a border to just the top or bottom of the page?
Yes, when you’re in the ‘Borders and Shading’ window, you can select which sides of the page you want the border to be applied to.
Is it possible to add borders to multiple, non-consecutive pages?
Yes, you can do this by inserting section breaks before and after each page you want to border and then applying the border to those sections individually.
Can I use custom images for the border?
Yes, Word allows you to select custom art for page borders under the ‘Art’ dropdown in the ‘Borders and Shading’ window.
What’s the difference between a page border and a paragraph border?
A page border encircles the entire page, while a paragraph border surrounds only a specific paragraph or set of paragraphs that you select.
Conclusion
Knowing how to put a border around just one page on Microsoft Word is a nifty skill that has the potential to elevate your document’s appearance significantly. It’s perfect for creating distinctive cover pages, certificates, or any document section you wish to highlight. While the process might seem daunting at first, particularly if you’re new to the world of section breaks and page formatting, it’s quite simple once you get the hang of it.
With practice, you’ll be adding stylish and professional-looking borders to your documents with ease. So, the next time you’re working on a Word document and feel it needs that extra pop of style, remember this guide and give it a go. You might find that a simple border was all your document needed to go from good to great.
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.