How to add a border in Word document

Borders are an easy way to give your Word documents extra clarity and style. They help you highlight important information, create clear divisions between sections, and add a polished touch to your work. If you want a paragraph to stand out, need to showcase a quote, or want your images to look more refined, adding a frame is a simple solution that makes a big difference.

In this guide, you’ll find step-by-step instructions for various types of outlines, with practical examples using ONLYOFFICE Docs, a document editor that’s both intuitive and user-friendly.

Understanding borders in Word documents

You have several options when it comes to adding frames:

Paragraphs: Useful for drawing attention to quotes, notes, or key sections.

Selected text: Frame a specific word or phrase for emphasis.

Text boxes: Create sidebars or callouts that can be positioned anywhere on the page.

Pages: Add a formal frame for certificates, flyers, or other special documents.

Pictures: Outline images to help them blend in or stand out.

Each type can be customized – choose from different styles, colors, and thicknesses to suit your document’s look and feel.

How to add border around text

Outlines are a great way to visually separate and highlight content in your document. ONLYOFFICE Docs makes it easy to add borders to text boxes, paragraphs, and even individual words or phrases. Here’s how you can do it:

Adding a border to a text box

Text boxes are perfect for side notes, callouts, or any content you want to float outside the main text flow.

• Go to the Insert tab and select Text Box.

• Type or paste your content into the box, and position it where you want.
• Click the text box to select it.
• Open the Shape Format tab and choose Shape Outline.
• Select your preferred outline color, weight (thickness), and style (solid, dashed, dotted, etc.)

To remove the border: With the text box selected, go to Shape Outline and choose No Line. Alternatively, right-click the box, select Format Shape, and set the line to No Line.

Adding a paragraph border

Paragraph frames are ideal for emphasizing quotes, instructions, or any block of text you want to stand out.

In ONLYOFFICE Docs 9.0 and later, you can quickly add a paragraph frame using the dedicated Borders button on the main toolbar:

• Select the paragraph(s) you want to highlight.
• Click the Borders button on the toolbar. This button gives you instant access to border options without opening additional menus.

• Choose which sides to apply the border to (top, bottom, left, right).
• Customize the style, color, and thickness directly from the dropdown.

• Click OK to apply your changes.

You can also adjust the padding between the line and your text in the Paddings tab for a cleaner look.

To remove it: Click the Borders button again and select No Border. You can also open the Borders & Fill tab, deselect all border sides, and confirm with OK.

Adding a border around selected text or a single word

If you want to highlight just a word or a phrase:

• Select the text you want to frame.
• Open the Borders menu from the toolbar.
• Select your styled edge effects (e.g. box, underline).
• Adjust color and thickness as needed.

To remove it: Select the text again, open the Borders menu, and choose No Border.

How to add a word page border

ONLYOFFICE Docs does not offer a dedicated page framing feature, but you can create a similar effect:

• Insert a large text box or rectangle shape and resize it to fit the page margins.

• Remove the fill color so the shape is transparent.

• Set the outline color, style, and thickness to create your custom border.

To remove it: Select the shape or text box and press Delete, or set the outline to No Line.

How to add a border to a picture

Borders can help your images stand out or fit better with your document’s design.

• Click on the image to select it.
• Go to the Picture Format tab and select your desired color, thickness, and line style.

To remove it: With the image selected, go to Picture Border and choose No Line.

Word document border options at a glance

Border type	What it frames	Flexibility	Common uses	Editing options	How to remove
Paragraph Border	Entire paragraph	Anchored to paragraph	Quotes, notes, lists	Style, color, thickness	Borders → No Border
Border Around Text	Selected text/word	Anchored to text	Terms, headings	Style, color, thickness	Borders → No Border
Text Box	Floating block of text/images	Move/resize anywhere	Sidebars, callouts	Shape fill, outline	Shape Outline → No Line
Page Border	Whole page (workaround)	Fixed to page/section	Certificates, flyers	Shape outline	Delete shape
Picture Border	Selected image	Anchored to image	Photos, diagrams	Color, thickness, style	Picture Border → No Line

Conclusion

Visual outlines are a simple way to make your documents clearer and more visually appealing in ONLYOFFICE Docs. With the handy toolbar button, you can easily highlight important paragraphs or better organize your content. Even without a dedicated page frame feature, shapes and text boxes offer plenty of creative possibilities. Use these design elements thoughtfully to keep your documents looking tidy and easy to follow.

Ready to try it yourself? ONLYOFFICE Docs makes document editing straightforward and collaborative.

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