Text Boxes

If you want to create a document that will have many graphics and some text, you may find it easier to control the layout by typing your words in text boxes you draw rather than just “on the paper”.  Be sure to change the layout of the picture or "object" as needed.

Insert a text box:

On the Drawing toolbar, click the Text Box tool. Place your cursor in the document where you want to insert the text box.  Draw the text box by dragging from one corner of the box to the opposite corner.

Format the text box (right-click an edge when the mouse pointer looks like a compass rose).  Then click the tab at the top that you want to change (Colors and Lines [Fill-Line], Size, Layout, Picture, Text Box, Web).

To be able to move the text box you will need to Format its Layout to Square or Tight. 

Click in the text box so you see the cursor, then type your text or insert a photo or graphic.

Delete a text box: click edge of text box, press delete key on keyboard

TEXT  - Make sure text fills the text box - OK to resize the box and move it.  
Two easy ways to change font size:  
to make the font bigger, hold down the control key and while holding it down press the right bracket key
to make the font smaller,, hold down the control key and while holding it down press the left bracket key

Graphic or Picture - You can place a picture in a text box - this makes it easier to move.    Click here for information about inserting a picture in a text box. You might have to resize the picture to fit the text box.

Making your document look better using text boxes and graphics:

Insert all text boxes and have them arranged well before inserting text or graphics.  Be sure to have a balanced and pleasant layout:  See examples

• Remember to have good BALANCE on a page - you want this to be a pleasant experience for your reader.  By balance, it means make sure you have the same size margin on the left side of your page as on the right side of the page.  It also means you should have a balanced amount of text and graphic on a page - you usually shouldn't have a huge graphic with only a few words or vice versa - usually you should have more text than graphics.  

• Be sure the graphic leads the viewer's eyes to the text.

• Any graphics or photos used should relate to the text.  The graphics should direct the reader to text.

• Fill the page - OK to have "white" space as long as it is balanced throughout the page.

• Color - must compliment the photo or graphic (coordinate with it) - should not be annoying don’t use more than 2 colors (it becomes distracting)

• Make sure the colors are "pleasant" and the font is easy to read - again, make this an enjoyable experience for your reader.

"Nudge" (move) a text box in small increments

1. Select the text box you want to nudge.
2. On the Drawing toolbar, click Draw, point to Nudge, and then click the direction you want to nudge the object.

Caption - Use a text box to add a caption beneath a picture within a Word document.  

If you want to overlap graphics or text boxes, use Order from Draw in the drawing toolbar.  If the drawing toolbar is not open,  click View (in the Menu Bar), point to Toolbars, click on Drawing to place a checkmark by it.
Rearrange the text boxes - Word orders items on top of one another in the order you created them.  You may change this layering order by clicking the object, then click on Draw (usually near the bottom of the window), click Order, then, usually click Send to Back or Bring to Front

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Last updated June 23, 2011 ~ Mrs. K. Bradley
kbradley@otsegoknights.org