Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated January 8, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021
Cathy has a document that includes text boxes that (amazingly enough) contain text. She can see them on her screen, but if she does a print preview or actually prints the document, the text boxes do not appear. Cathy wonders why this happens and how she can see the text boxes in her printout.
When you add a text box to your document, that text box is placed on what Microsoft calls a drawing layer. This simply means it is handled differently than the regular text in your document, and you can control whether it is printed or not. The drawing layer contains not just text boxes, but other shapes you may add to your document. It can also contain images (pictures) that are not placed in the document as inline images.
To make sure that items on the drawing layer print, follow these steps:
Now, you should be able to print as normal and the text boxes (and other items) should be included in your printout.
WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (12736) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, Word in Microsoft 365, and 2021.
Learning Made Easy! Quickly teach yourself how to format, publish, and share your content using Word 2013. With Step by Step, you set the pace, building and practicing the skills you need, just when you need them! Check out Microsoft Word 2013 Step by Step today!
Text boxes can be a great aid in designing the layout of your document. What do you do when you can't find a text box ...
Discover MoreWhen designing your document, you may want to use sidebars like you see in magazines and some books. This tip explains ...
Discover MoreWant to divide a text box into columns? Word doesn't allow you to do this, but there are ways to work around the limitation.
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)
Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.
Visit the WordTips channel on YouTube
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2023 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Comments