To add a text box in PowerPoint 2016, click the Insert tab, click Text Box, then click on the slide or drag to draw the box and start typing. To delete a text box, click its border so the outline turns solid, then press Delete or Backspace. If you only click inside the box, you’ll delete text instead of the box.
These steps also work in PowerPoint 2019, 2021, and PowerPoint for Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac. Below you’ll also find how to format, move, and resize text boxes, and how to fix common problems.
How to add a text box in PowerPoint
- Open your presentation and select the slide you want.
- Click the Insert tab on the ribbon.
- In the Text group, click Text Box.
- Click on the slide to create a box that grows as you type, or click and drag to draw a box with a set width.
- Type your text. Click outside the box when you’re done.
A box you create with a single click keeps getting wider as you type. A box you drag to size wraps text onto new lines instead, which is usually easier to manage.
How to delete a text box in PowerPoint
- Click the text inside the box. A dashed border appears.
- Click the border itself. It changes to a solid line, which means the whole box is selected.
- Press Delete (Windows) or Delete/Backspace (Mac).
To delete several text boxes at once, hold Shift or Ctrl (Command on Mac) and click each border, then press Delete. Changed your mind? Press Ctrl + Z (Command + Z on Mac) to undo.
Dashed vs. solid border
| Border | What’s selected | What Delete does |
|---|---|---|
| Dashed | You’re editing the text inside | Deletes characters |
| Solid | The whole text box | Deletes the entire box |
Text box vs. placeholder
Many slide layouts include placeholders that say “Click to add title” or “Click to add text.” They look like text boxes, but they come from the slide layout. If you delete a placeholder’s text, the prompt comes back, and it won’t show during a slideshow. To remove the placeholder completely, select its border and press Delete, just like a text box. To bring it back, click Home > Reset.
How to format, move, and resize a text box
- Move it: Point to the border until the pointer becomes a four-headed arrow, then drag. Use the arrow keys to nudge it.
- Resize it: Drag one of the white circles (sizing handles) on the corners or sides. Hold Shift while dragging a corner to keep the proportions.
- Rotate it: Drag the curved arrow above the box.
- Change the font: Select the text and use the Font group on the Home tab.
- Add a fill or outline: Select the box and open the Shape Format tab (called Drawing Tools Format in PowerPoint 2016). Use Shape Fill and Shape Outline.
- Stop text from shrinking: Right-click the border, choose Format Shape, open Text Options > Text Box, and pick Do not Autofit.
How to draw a vertical text box
Click the arrow under Text Box on the Insert tab and choose Vertical Text Box. Or select an existing box, go to Home > Text Direction, and choose Rotate all text 90° or Stacked.
Troubleshooting
- Text Box is grayed out. You might be in Slide Master view, Reading view, or a protected file. Switch to View > Normal, and click Enable Editing if you see a yellow bar.
- You can’t select the box. It might be behind another object or on the slide master. Open Home > Arrange > Selection Pane to select, hide, or delete any object on the slide.
- The box keeps coming back. It’s part of the layout or slide master. Go to View > Slide Master to remove it there.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the keyboard shortcut for a text box in PowerPoint?
There isn’t a single default shortcut. On Windows, press Alt, N, X in order to start drawing a text box. You can also add Text Box to the Quick Access Toolbar.
How do I copy a text box to another slide?
Select the border, press Ctrl + C, go to the other slide, and press Ctrl + V. PowerPoint pastes it in the same position.
How do I delete all text boxes on a slide?
Click an empty part of the slide, press Ctrl + A to select every object, hold Ctrl and click anything you want to keep, then press Delete.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.