To remove the border from a text box in Word for Microsoft 365, click the edge of the text box to select it, go to the Shape Format tab, click Shape Outline, and choose No Outline. The black line around the box disappears, but the text stays in place. To also remove the white background, click Shape Fill > No Fill.
How to remove a text box border
- Click the border of the text box (not the text inside) so the box is selected. The border turns solid and handles appear.
- Click the Shape Format tab.
- Click Shape Outline.
- Choose No Outline.
You can also right-click the border and choose Format Shape. In the pane, click the Fill & Line icon, expand Line, and choose No line.
Remove the border from several text boxes
Hold Shift and click the border of each text box, then choose Shape Format > Shape Outline > No Outline. All of them update at once.
Make new text boxes borderless by default
- Remove the border (and fill, if you like) from one text box.
- Right-click its border and choose Set as Default Text Box.
New text boxes you draw in this document will use the same formatting.
Still seeing a border?
- It’s a paragraph border: Click inside the text, go to Home > Borders (in the Paragraph group), and choose No Border.
- It’s a table: The “box” might be a one-cell table. Select it and use Table Design > Borders > No Border.
- It’s a shape effect: Check Shape Effects > Shadow or Glow and set it to none.
- It only shows on screen: A faint dotted line may appear while editing but won’t print. Check File > Print preview.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I see the Shape Format tab?
The text box isn’t selected. Click its border until handles appear.
How do I change the border instead of removing it?
Use Shape Outline to pick a color, then Weight for thickness and Dashes for style.
Does this work in Word for Mac?
Yes. Select the text box, then use Shape Format > Shape Outline > No Outline.
Can I do this in Word for the web?
Yes. Select the text box, then use the Shape tab’s outline option and choose No Outline.
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.