Creating a box in Microsoft Word is a simple task that can be accomplished in a few steps. First, you’ll need to open a Word document. Then, you’ll go to the ‘Insert’ tab, click on ‘Shapes’, and choose a rectangle. After drawing the rectangle, you can customize the box by changing its color, border, and size. And voila! You’ve made a box in Word.
After completing the action, you’ll have a box that can be used for a variety of purposes, such as text boxes, callouts, or simply to highlight information on your document.
Introduction
Boxes in Microsoft Word are versatile tools that can add structure, emphasis, and visual appeal to your document. Whether you’re creating a flowchart, organizing information, or simply looking to emphasize a section of text, a box can do the trick. This seemingly simple task can enhance your professionalism in reports, improve readability in essays, or even just add a creative touch to your personal projects.
But why is it important to know how to make a box in Microsoft Word? For starters, it’s a basic skill that can come in handy in a multitude of situations. Students can use it to create diagrams for their assignments, professionals might need it for business reports, and the everyday user could find it useful for making event invitations or flyers. In other words, anyone who uses Word can benefit from mastering this skill.
Related: How to Delete a Text Box in Word 2013
Step by Step Tutorial: Making a Box in Microsoft Word
Before we dive into the tutorial, it’s important to understand that by following these steps, you’ll learn how to insert a box that can be customized to your liking. You can change its size, color, and border to fit the style and needs of your document.
Step 1: Open Microsoft Word
Open a new or existing Word document where you want to insert the box.
Starting with an open Word document is essential because, well, you can’t insert a box into a document that isn’t open!
Step 2: Go to the ‘Insert’ Tab
Click on the ‘Insert’ tab located at the top of the Word window.
This tab holds a variety of tools that allow you to add different elements to your document—pictures, shapes, headers, footers, and, of course, boxes.
Step 3: Click on ‘Shapes’
Within the ‘Insert’ tab, find and click on the ‘Shapes’ button.
‘Shapes’ is where the magic happens! Microsoft Word offers a wide range of shapes, but for a box, we’ll be focusing on the rectangles.
Step 4: Choose the Rectangle Shape
From the drop-down menu, select the rectangle shape (or a square if that’s what you need).
The rectangle shape will serve as the base for your box. You can later adjust the dimensions to create the perfect box for your document.
Step 5: Draw the Box
Click and drag your cursor on the document to draw the box.
As you click and drag, you’ll see the outline of the box forming. You can make it as big or as small as you like.
Step 6: Customize the Box
After drawing the box, you can use the ‘Format’ tab to change the fill color, border color, and border thickness.
Customizing the box is where you can let your creativity flow. The ‘Format’ tab offers tools to make your box stand out or blend in, depending on the purpose it will serve in your document.
Pros
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Visual Appeal | A well-designed box can catch the reader’s eye and make important information stand out. |
| Organization | Boxes help to segment and organize content in a clean and structured way. |
| Versatility | Boxes can be used for a variety of purposes, from text boxes to decorative elements. |
Adding boxes to your document can significantly enhance its visual appeal. They can be used to draw attention to important parts of the text, making it more likely that the reader will remember that information. Plus, they just make your document look more polished!
Boxes are also fantastic for organization. They can help you break up large chunks of text, making your document easier to read and navigate. You can use them to create separate sections, highlight quotes, or even to contain side notes.
The versatility of boxes is another incredible benefit. They’re not just for business reports; boxes can be used in creative writing, event planning, educational materials, and more. They can be adapted to any style or purpose, which makes them a valuable tool to have in your Word skillset.
Cons
| Drawback | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Distraction | If overused or poorly designed, boxes can distract from the main content of the document. |
| Clutter | Too many boxes or overly large ones can make a document look cluttered and unprofessional. |
| Formatting Issues | If not formatted properly, boxes can disrupt the flow of text and cause alignment issues. |
While boxes can enhance the look of your document, there’s always the risk of going overboard. Too many boxes, or ones with clashing colors or designs, can be distracting. It’s important to use them strategically to ensure they’re adding value and not detracting from the content.
Clutter is another potential downside. Large or numerous boxes can overwhelm the page and make it appear messy. This can be especially problematic in professional documents where clarity and conciseness are key.
Formatting issues are also something to watch out for. Boxes might look great on your screen, but if they’re not aligned properly or if the text wrapping isn’t set up correctly, they can throw off the entire layout of your document. It’s crucial to double-check that everything looks good in print preview before finalizing your document.
Additional Information
While the steps above will help you create a basic box in Microsoft Word, there’s so much more you can do to customize your box and make it unique. For instance, did you know you can add shadows, 3D effects, and even text directly into your box? You can also layer boxes, creating a depth effect that can make your document pop.
Another useful tip is to use gridlines and align features to make sure your boxes are perfectly positioned. This can help you avoid those pesky formatting issues we talked about earlier. And remember, you can always group multiple shapes together to move them as one, which can save you time when organizing your document.
Summary
- Open Microsoft Word
- Go to the ‘Insert’ tab
- Click on ‘Shapes’
- Choose the rectangle shape
- Draw the box on your document
- Customize the box with the ‘Format’ tab
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I insert a pre-designed box?
Yes, you can use the ‘SmartArt’ feature in Word to insert pre-designed boxes for specific purposes like lists, processes, or hierarchies.
How do I add text to the box?
After drawing your box, simply click inside it and start typing. You can format the text just like any other text in Word.
Can I make a box with rounded corners?
Absolutely! Instead of selecting the standard rectangle, choose the ‘Rounded Rectangle’ shape from the ‘Shapes’ menu.
How do I make sure my box is centered on the page?
You can use the alignment tools under the ‘Format’ tab or enable gridlines to manually align your box.
Can I save my customized box to use in other documents?
Yes, you can save your customized box as a new shape in the ‘Shapes’ gallery for easy access in future documents.
Conclusion
Knowing how to make a box in Microsoft Word is a valuable skill for anyone who uses this software. Boxes have the power to transform your document from a plain text page to an organized, visually appealing masterpiece.
With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to insert and customize boxes with ease, making your documents stand out for all the right reasons. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who likes to get creative with their personal projects, mastering the art of the box in Word is a skill worth having up your sleeve.
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.