To remove a text box in Word 2013, click the edge of the text box so its border turns solid (not dashed), then press Delete. If you click inside the box and press Delete, you’ll only erase text. To keep the text, select it inside the box, press Ctrl + X to cut it, delete the box, then click in the document and press Ctrl + V. To hide just the outline, select the box and choose Drawing Tools Format > Shape Outline > No Outline.
These steps also work in Word 2016, 2019, 2021, and Microsoft 365. Below are the details, plus how to find text boxes that are hard to click.
How to delete a text box
- Move your pointer over the text box border until it becomes a four-headed arrow.
- Click once. The border should look solid with round handles on the corners. A dashed border means you’re editing the text inside instead.
- Press Delete or Backspace.
If you’re inside the box, press Esc once to select the whole text box, then press Delete.
How to remove a text box but keep the text
- Click inside the text box and press Ctrl + A to select all its text.
- Press Ctrl + X to cut it.
- Click the text box border and press Delete.
- Click where you want the text in your document and press Ctrl + V.
To match the surrounding text’s formatting, right-click and choose Keep Text Only under Paste Options.
How to remove only the border
- Select the text box.
- On the Drawing Tools Format tab (called Shape Format in newer versions), click Shape Outline.
- Choose No Outline.
To remove the background too, click Shape Fill > No Fill.
Can’t click the text box?
Text boxes behind text or in headers can be tricky to select. Use the Selection pane:
- Go to Home > Select > Selection Pane. (In Word 2013, it’s also on the Drawing Tools Format tab under Arrange.)
- Click the text box’s name, like Text Box 1.
- Press Delete.
If it’s in the header or footer, double-click the header area first. If it’s part of a template or watermark, check Design > Watermark > Remove Watermark.
How to remove several text boxes at once
- Hold Ctrl and click each text box border, then press Delete.
- Or hold Ctrl and click the names in the Selection pane.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Delete only remove the text?
You’re editing inside the box. Press Esc or click the border first so the whole box is selected.
Is a text box the same as a shape with text?
Almost. Both can be deleted the same way. Shapes may show as Rectangle or another shape name in the Selection pane.
How do I remove a table border instead?
Select the table and choose Table Tools Design > Borders > No Border.
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.