To align text boxes in Word, select them (click the first, then hold Shift and click the others), go to the Shape Format tab, click Align, and choose an option such as Align Left, Align Top, or Align Center. Use Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically to space three or more boxes evenly. To align the text inside a box, click in it and use the alignment buttons on the Home tab or Shape Format > Align Text.
Below are step-by-step instructions for each kind of alignment, plus tips for keeping text boxes from jumping around.
Align several text boxes with each other
- Click the border of the first text box to select it.
- Hold Shift (or Ctrl) and click the border of each other text box.
- On the Shape Format tab, click Align in the Arrange group.
- Make sure Align Selected Objects is checked at the bottom of the menu.
- Choose an alignment option.
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Align Left / Right | Lines up the left or right edges |
| Align Center | Lines up the horizontal centers in a column |
| Align Top / Bottom | Lines up the top or bottom edges in a row |
| Align Middle | Lines up the vertical centers in a row |
| Distribute Horizontally | Spaces three or more boxes evenly from left to right |
| Distribute Vertically | Spaces three or more boxes evenly from top to bottom |
Align a text box to the page or margins
- Select the text box.
- Click Shape Format > Align.
- Choose Align to Page or Align to Margin.
- Open Align again and choose, for example, Align Center to center the box on the page.
Position a text box precisely
- Select the text box and click Shape Format > Position > More Layout Options.
- On the Position tab, set Horizontal and Vertical positions with exact measurements relative to the page, margin, column, or paragraph.
- Click OK.
You can also nudge a selected box with the arrow keys. Hold Ctrl while pressing an arrow key to move it in smaller steps.
Align the text inside a text box
- Left, center, or right: Click inside the box and use the paragraph alignment buttons on the Home tab, or press Ctrl + L, Ctrl + E, or Ctrl + R.
- Top, middle, or bottom: Select the box and choose Shape Format > Align Text.
- Padding: Right-click the box, choose Format Shape, open Layout & Properties, and adjust the internal margins.
Use gridlines and guides
Turn on View > Gridlines to see a grid while you place boxes. Under Shape Format > Align > Grid Settings, you can make objects snap to the grid or to other objects, which helps keep layouts tidy. Word also shows green alignment guides as you drag a box near the margins or the center of the page.
Keep text boxes from moving
- Click the Layout Options button next to the box and choose Fix position on page so it doesn’t move when you add text above it.
- Choose In Front of Text or Square wrapping so you can place the box freely.
- Group aligned boxes (select them, right-click, Group > Group) so they move together.
Example: line up three boxes on a flyer
- Insert three text boxes with Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box, and make them the same size using the Height and Width boxes on the Shape Format tab.
- Drag them roughly into a row across the page.
- Select all three and choose Align > Align Top so their tops match.
- With all three still selected, choose Align > Distribute Horizontally for even gaps.
- Group them so the row stays together when you move it.
Consider a table instead
If you’re lining up many boxes in rows and columns, such as a contact sheet or a pricing grid, a table with hidden borders is often easier to manage. Table cells stay aligned automatically, flow with the text, and are friendlier to screen readers than floating text boxes.
Troubleshooting
- Align is grayed out: The text box may be set to In Line with Text. Change its wrapping in Layout Options.
- Can’t select several boxes: Make sure you click the border, not inside the text, while holding Shift. Or use Home > Select > Select Objects and drag a box around them.
- Distribute options are unavailable: You need at least three objects selected.
Related: How to center a text box in Word.
Related: How to remove the border from a text box in Word.
Related: Select multiple pictures in Word.
Related: Copy a text box in Word.
Related: Insert text in Word.
Frequently asked questions
Can I align a text box with a picture?
Yes. Select both (pictures need a wrapping style other than In Line with Text) and use Align the same way.
How do I make all text boxes the same size?
Select them all and type the same values in the Height and Width boxes on the Shape Format tab.
Does this work in Word for Mac?
Yes. The Align menu is on the Shape Format tab in Word for Mac, too.
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.