If you are designing a certificate, a formal invitation, or a title page for a business report in Microsoft Word, leaving the edges of the page completely blank can make the document look unfinished. Instead of manually drawing lines or trying to import massive image frames, you can use the built-in Page Border tool to automatically wrap your entire document in a perfectly aligned, highly customizable border.
How the Page Border Engine Works
Unlike standard borders that only wrap around a specific paragraph of text, a “Page Border” is mathematically anchored to the absolute physical margins of the paper itself. Even if you press Enter fifty times or delete half your text, the border will remain perfectly locked to the edges of the page.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Open your Microsoft Word document.
- In the top menu ribbon, click on the Design tab.
- Look to the absolute far right side of the ribbon and click the Page Borders button.
A new dialogue box will open, automatically defaulting to the “Page Border” tab.
- On the far left side, under the “Setting” section, click on the Box icon to apply a standard border to all four sides of the page.
- In the middle “Style” menu, scroll down to choose the type of line you want. You can select a solid line, dashed lines, or even double and triple professional lines.
- Use the Color dropdown to match the border to your company’s branding.
- Use the Width dropdown to make the line thicker and more prominent.
Applying the Border to Specific Pages
The most powerful feature of this tool is its targeting capability. If you are writing a 50-page report, you likely only want the border to appear on the very first cover page.
- Look at the bottom right corner of the dialogue box for the Apply to: dropdown menu.
- By default, it is set to “Whole document.” Click the dropdown and select This section – First page only.
- Click OK.
Word will instantly draw your beautiful, customized border perfectly around the margins of page one, leaving the rest of your document clean and readable.