How to Create a Page Border in Microsoft Word
Adding a page border to your Word document can enhance its appearance and give it a polished, professional look. You can customize the style, thickness, and specific pages the border applies to.
To add a page border, follow these steps based on your version of Microsoft Word:
- Office 365 or Office 2019: Open your document, click the “Design” tab in the ribbon, and then click “Page Borders” in the “Page Background” section.
- Older Versions of Office: Go to the “Layout” or “Page Layout” tab, and select “Page Borders”.
The “Borders and Shading” dialog box will open. Ensure you’re on the “Page Border” tab. By default, it will apply a simple box border.
Customizing Page Borders
- Basic Box Border: Select “Box” for a standard solid line border. You can adjust the style, color, and width using the drop-down menus.
- Alternative Border Styles: Other border options include adding a shadow, a 3D effect, or custom borders for each side of the page.
- To apply these, choose an option from the “Setting” section, and a preview will appear. Once satisfied, click “OK” to apply.
Modifying Individual Border Lines
You can apply or remove individual border lines from your document.
- Remove a Border: In the “Preview” section, click the border line you want to remove.
- Apply a Border Again: If a line is missing, click it to restore it.
Customizing Border Lines
For more control over your borders:
- Choose “Custom” from the “Setting” section.
- Select a line style from the “Style” drop-down menu.
- Click individual lines in the “Preview” box to apply different styles to each border.
Adjusting Border Width and Color
To make the border stand out:
- Change the “Width” (ranging from 1/4 pt to 6 pt) and select a color from the “Color” menu.
- For custom borders, click on each border line in the “Preview” section to apply your chosen style.
Adding a Border to a Single Page
By default, Word applies borders to all pages. However, you can specify a single page or a subset of pages:
- In the “Page Border” settings, use the “Apply To” drop-down menu.
- Select “This Section” to apply the border only to the page you’re working on.
- For specific pages, you can choose “This Section – First Page Only” or “This Section – All Except First Page” to exclude or include particular pages.
Click “OK” to finalize your changes. The border will then be applied according to your selections.