How to Insert a Text Box in Microsoft Word

While Microsoft Word is excellent for writing long paragraphs and standard essays, you sometimes need more flexibility when designing a document. If you want to place text exactly where you want it—like a pull quote in a newsletter, a sidebar in a report, or text floating over an image—you need to use a text box.

Unlike standard text, a text box acts like an independent object that you can drag, drop, resize, and style without affecting the rest of your document’s layout.

In this guide, you will learn how to easily insert and format text boxes in Microsoft Word.

How to Insert a Basic Text Box

1. Open your document in Microsoft Word.
2. Look at the ribbon menu at the very top of the window and click on the Insert tab.
3. Locate the “Text” group on the right side of the ribbon and click on the Text Box button.
4. A drop-down menu will appear showing several pre-designed templates (like “Simple Text Box,” “Austin Quote,” etc.).
5. Click on Simple Text Box at the top of the list.

A new box with placeholder text will appear in your document. The placeholder text will already be highlighted, so you can immediately begin typing to replace it with your own words.

How to Draw a Custom Text Box

If you prefer to precisely control the size and location of the box from the very beginning, you can manually draw it.

1. Click on the Insert tab.
2. Click on Text Box.
3. At the bottom of the drop-down menu, click on Draw Text Box.
4. Your mouse cursor will turn into a small crosshair (+).
5. Click and hold your left mouse button anywhere on the page, then drag diagonally to create a box of your desired size. Release the mouse button when you are satisfied.
6. Click inside the newly drawn box and start typing.

How to Move and Resize the Box

Once your text box is on the page, adjusting it is simple.

• To Move: Hover your mouse over the outer edge of the text box until the cursor turns into a four-way arrow. Click and hold the edge, then drag the box anywhere on the page.
• To Resize: Click the text box to select it. Small circles (sizing handles) will appear on the corners and sides. Click and drag any of these circles to make the box wider, narrower, taller, or shorter.