How to Add a Page Border in Word

Whether you are designing a certificate, formatting a formal title page, or creating a menu for an event, adding a page border in Microsoft Word is a simple way to elevate your document’s professional appearance. A well-chosen border frames your content, drawing the reader’s eye and giving standard A4 pages a polished, finished look.

Why Use a Page Border?

In most standard business or academic writing, page borders are unnecessary and can be distracting. However, for specific types of documents—such as invitations, flyers, cover pages, or promotional materials—a border separates your work from generic text documents. Microsoft Word offers extensive customisation, allowing you to choose everything from subtle, thin black lines to elaborate, colourful art borders.

Step-by-Step: Adding a Basic Page Border

Applying a border is a straightforward process using Word’s built-in design tools.

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Navigate to the Design tab on the ribbon at the top of the screen. (If you are using an older version of Word, this will be located under the ‘Page Layout’ tab).
3. Look towards the far right of the ribbon and click the Page Borders button.
4. The ‘Borders and Shading’ dialogue box will open. Ensure the Page Border tab is selected at the top.
5. On the left side under ‘Setting’, click Box to apply a standard border to all four sides of the page.
6. In the middle section, you can select the Style (solid line, dashed, dotted), the Colour, and the Width (thickness) of the line.
7. Click OK to apply the border to your document.

Advanced Customisation: Using Art Borders

If a simple line is too formal, Word includes a library of graphic borders.

1. Return to the Page Borders dialogue box.
2. Look for the drop-down menu labelled Art near the bottom of the middle section.
3. Click the drop-down to browse a wide variety of graphics, including stars, trees, geometric patterns, and seasonal themes.
4. Select your preferred design, adjust the width if necessary, and click OK.

Applying Borders to Specific Pages

Often, you only want a border on the title page, not the entire document.

1. Open the Page Borders dialogue box.
2. Look at the bottom right corner for the Apply to drop-down menu.
3. By default, it is set to ‘Whole document’. Click the menu and change it to This section – First page only.
4. Click OK, and the border will be restricted to your cover page.

Troubleshooting Common Mistakes

If your border is not printing correctly, it is usually a margin issue.

• The border is cut off when printing: Most home and office printers cannot print completely to the edge of the paper; they require a small blank margin. If your page border is set too close to the edge, the printer will cut it off. To fix this, open the Page Borders dialogue box and click the Options button. Change the ‘Measure from’ drop-down to Text instead of ‘Edge of page’, and increase the margin values. This pulls the border further inward, ensuring it remains within your printer’s printable area.

By understanding how to apply and adjust page borders, you can significantly enhance the visual impact of your special documents.