Adding and formatting text inside shapes in Word allows you to create more visually engaging documents. Whether you want to annotate a flowchart, make an eye-catching header, or add captions to images, this guide will teach you everything you need to know.
Once you’ve added text to a shape, you can format it just like regular text:
Don’t stop at just inserting text – use Word’s formatting options to make shapes stand out:
The key is experimenting with all these tools to turn basic shapes into eye-catching visual elements.
Now let’s walk through a tutorial for adding stylized text inside a shape in Word:
On the Insert tab, click Shapes and select a shape, like a rounded rectangle:
Inserting a shape
Right-click on the shape and choose Add Text from the menu:
Add text option
An insertion point will appear inside the shape where you can start typing:
Select the text inside the shape and use the Font group to change fonts, sizes, colors, etc:
You can also right-click and use the mini toolbar:
Drag the shape’s handles to resize it and make room for more text. Click the border and use the alignment buttons to align the text:
Right-click the shape, choose Format Shape, and use tools like Shape Styles and Shape Effects:
The final result:
And that’s it! By combining shapes, text, and Word’s extensive formatting options, you can add polished, professional text elements to your documents.
Here are some common questions about working with text in shapes:
How do I move a shape?
Click on the shape border to select the entire shape, then drag it to the desired location. Use the arrow keys to nudge it one pixel at a time.
Can I convert a shape back to regular text?
Yes! Right-click on the shape, choose “Edit Text”, then copy and paste the text outside the shape.
What’s the quickest way to remove text from a shape?
Click inside the shape and press the Delete key to remove all text. The shape itself will still remain.
How do I wrap text around a shape?
Select the shape, go to Format > Wrap Text, and choose a wrap option like Square or Tight. This will push text on the page around the shape.
Can I link a shape to text so they move together?
Yes! This is called grouping. Select the shape and text fields you want to group, right-click and choose Group > Group. Now they will move and resize together like a single object.
Can I add multiple columns of text in a shape?
Unfortunately Word does not support multiple text columns inside a shape. You will need to break it into separate text boxes instead.
I hope this tutorial gives you the knowledge to quickly add and style text inside shapes in Word! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Vegadocs Staff is comprised with experts in Microsoft Word and Google Docs. With years of experience, their articles offer practical tips for enhanced productivity in digital documentation.
