How to Insert a Text Box in Word

A text box is an element you can insert and position anywhere in a document. Text boxes are great for calling special attention to a quote or a whole block of text.

Draw Text Boxes

You don’t have to use one of Word’s built-in text boxes; you can create one from scratch.

1. From the Insert tab, expand the Text group, if necessary.
2. Click the Text Box button.
3. Select Draw Text Box.
   

The pointer changes to a crosshair, indicating that you can draw the text box.

4. Click and drag in your document to create the text box.
   

The text box is inserted.

Link Text Boxes

Linking text boxes allows text to flow between them. For example, you could make the text of a long article flow through several smaller text boxes in a more advanced layout.

1. After you have created two or more text boxes, select the first one.

The second text box must be empty, so make sure to remove any text in it before proceeding.

2. Click the Format tab in the Drawing Tools ribbon group.
3. Click Create Link from the Text group.

The cursor changes into a tiny pitcher full of letters. Moving the cursor over the second text box reveals that you can “pour” additional text into it.

4. Click the second text box with the new cursor.
   

The two text boxes are linked. Now, once enough text is entered into the first text box, it will automatically overflow into the second.

5. Switch back to the first text box and type into it.
   

You can format the text in a text box just as you would any other text by using the Font and Paragraph groups on the Home tab.