Create a Custom Paragraph Border

You can make paragraphs stand out by placing a border around them. You can use the Borders and Shading dialog box or you can use the Borders gallery. When you use the Borders gallery, Word places the border around your paragraphs and uses a default style, color, width, and distance. If you want to change the style, color, width, or distance, use the Borders and Shading dialog box.

The following explains the options in the Borders and Shading dialog box:

Setting: The Settings buttons provide a one-click option for formatting or removing borders. To apply a setting, click the style you want.

Style: The Style box enables you to choose a border style. Scroll down to see all the styles available to you and then click the style you want.

Color: The Color box enables you to choose a border color. See Lesson 2: Learn About Colors to learn more about colors. To apply a color, click the down-arrow next to the Color field, then choose the color you want.

Width: The Width field enables you to choose the thickness of the line. Click the down-arrow next to the Width field and then click the thickness you want.

Preview: The preview area contains several toggle buttons. Clicking a button either applies or removes a border. For example, you can click the Bottom Border button to apply a bottom border, then click it again to remove the border.

Top Border: Choose a style, color, and width and then click the Top Border button  to place a border above the selected paragraphs.

Bottom Border: Choose a style, color, and width and then click the Bottom Border button to place a border below the selected paragraphs.

Left Border: Choose a style, color, and width and then click the Left Border button  to place a border to the left of the selected paragraphs.

Right Border: Choose a style, color, and width and then click the Right Border button to place a border to the right of the selected paragraphs.

Note: You can also click on the graphic in the center of the Preview area to apply a border. For example, you can choose a style, color, and width and then click the bottom of the graphic to create a bottom border.

Apply To: The Apply To field has two options: Text and Paragraph. Paragraph places the border around selected paragraphs. Text places the border around selected text.

Options: Click the Options button to open the Borders and Shading Options dialog box.

Top: Type the distance you want to place between the text and the top border.

Bottom: Type the distance you want to place between the text and the bottom border.

Left: Type the distance you want to place between the text and the left border.

Right: Type the distance you want to place between the text and the right border.

Create a Custom Paragraph Border

1. Select the paragraphs you want to place a border around.
2. Choose the Home tab.
3. Click the down-arrow next to the Borders button in the Paragraph group and then click Borders and Shading. The Borders and Shadings dialog box opens.
4. Click a Setting button, if you want to apply a setting.
5. Click in the Style box to select a Style.
6. Click the down-arrow next to the Color field and then click to select a color.
7. Click the down-arrow next to the Width field and then click the select a width.
8. Click the toggle buttons or the graphic to add or remove a border.
9. Repeat steps 4–8 for each border you want to format.
10. Click the Options button. The Borders and Shading Options dialog box opens.
11. Type the distance you want between the top border and the paragraph in the Top field.
12. Type the distance you want between the bottom border and the paragraph in the Bottom field.
13. Type the distance you want between the left border and the paragraph in the Left field.
14. Type the distance you want between the right border and the paragraph in the Right field.
15. Click OK. Word closes the Borders and Shading Options dialog box.
16. Click OK. Word closes the Borders and Shading dialog box and adds borders to your paragraph.

How do I place a border around text?

Select the text. Choose the Home tab. Click the down-arrow next to the Borders button in the Paragraph group and then click Outside Borders. Word places a border around your text.