When Manuel uses the Text Box tool on the Insert tab of the ribbon, Word allows him to draw a text box anywhere in his document. This text box is always rectangular, but Manuel wonders if there is a way to create a text box that has rounded corners.
Word actually gives you quite a bit of control when it comes to text boxes. That is because in past versions of Word there was a great deal of difference between text boxes and shapes, but in later versions there has been very little actual difference between them. Thus, one way is to not use the Text Box tool to draw text boxes. Instead, use the Shapes tool (Insert tab of the ribbon, Illustrations group) to create a shape. You can then format the shape to appear just like a text box and even add text within the shape. (To add text, right-click the border of the shape and choose Add Text from the Context menu.)
If you prefer to stay with text boxes or you simply want to change the nature of text boxes already in your document, then follow these steps:
Word obediently changes your text box to a shape, but remembers all the formatting you'd previously applied to the text box.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5960) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, and 2013.
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Want to change how a text box is oriented on the page? You can't do it, but you can adjust the dimensions of the box ...
Discover MoreNeed to search for various text boxes in your document? It's easy to do with the handy macro provided in this tip.
Discover MoreWord allows you to wrap text around a graphic or around a text box, but it won't allow you to wrap text in a text box ...
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2016-12-09 02:50:38
Ken Endacott
Unlike text flow outside a shape, it is not possible to flow text inside a shape. The text is inside a rectangular textframe with the default margins from the textframe to the closest shape line of 7.2 points. The following macro will change the margins to zero points to give a tighter fit of text inside the shape.
Sub TextFrameMargins()
Dim shp As Shape
Set shp = Selection.ShapeRange(1)
With shp.TextFrame
.MarginTop = 0
.MarginLeft = 0
.MarginRight = 0
.MarginBottom = 0
End With
End Sub
2016-12-07 14:11:46
Julie
Could you tell me how to make the text flow inside the new shape rather than remaining a box?
2016-09-13 02:18:42
Ankus Adhikari
Thank you soooo muchh.
2016-08-19 23:48:07
Rosie Wilson
This was a GREAT TIP!
2016-07-22 10:22:43
Kovilan
Thank you!!
Needed this
2015-03-06 10:58:00
Glenn Case
Rowena, thanks for a nice extension to this tip!
2015-03-05 09:49:33
Candy
thanks, This was very helpful
2013-02-18 08:04:26
Juan
I love this tip, it'll be so beautiful to use rounded text boxes, they will give a very modern look to a document
2013-02-18 07:31:10
Surendera M. Bhanot
Textbox is a shape too. One can insert texy in any shape by right clicking the shape aftr ir has been selected and then click "Add Text" in the ensuing Context-Sensetive drop-down menu. One can readjudt the shape to accommodate the text, or resize the text to accomodate it within the shape. There is a "Text Fit to Shape" option is also available to automatically do the job.
2013-02-18 00:17:47
K.Vee.Shanker.
Thanks!
All along, I've been thinking that shapes module is used only for drawing shapes. It's nice that they can applied for changing the shape of the text boxes too!
2013-02-16 10:36:54
Lydia
Allen, thank you so much for your continued input on these tips and shortcuts! I can't believe this information is free of charge!
Thanks again. No more square text boxes for me!
2013-02-16 05:11:00
Rowena Taylor
And then select the shape once you have formatted it, and hold down the Alt key and flick the F3 key. Save the shape with a "key" name.
When you want to use the shape, type in the key, and press the F3 key.
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