Text Box in Google Docs: A Comprehensive Guide for Users

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Matthew Burleigh

Adding a text box in Google Docs is a simple task that can enhance the layout and design of your document. It allows you to place text anywhere on the page, separate from the main body of text, which can be useful for adding side notes, callouts, or for creating a visually appealing document layout. In just a few clicks, you can insert a text box and customize it to your liking.

Step by Step Tutorial: Inserting a Text Box in Google Docs

Before we dive into the steps, let’s discuss what we’re aiming to achieve here. We’re going to learn how to insert a text box into a Google Doc. This can be useful for a variety of reasons, such as adding a pull quote, creating a sidebar, or simply emphasizing a piece of text.

Step 1: Open your Google Doc

First things first, you’ll need to have your Google Doc open. This is where you’ll be adding your text box.

Once you have your Google Doc open, make sure you’re signed in to your Google account so that you can make changes to the document.

Step 2: Click on the ‘Insert’ menu

Next, click on the ‘Insert’ menu at the top of the page. This will bring up a range of options for adding different elements to your document.

The ‘Insert’ menu is where you can add all sorts of things to your Google Doc, not just text boxes. You can insert images, tables, charts, and more.

Step 3: Select ‘Drawing’ then ‘New’

After clicking on ‘Insert’, hover over ‘Drawing’ and then select ‘New’ from the submenu. This will open a new window where you can create your text box.

The ‘Drawing’ tool is quite versatile and allows you to create shapes, lines, and, of course, text boxes. Don’t worry, it’s very user-friendly!

Step 4: Click on the ‘Text box’ button

In the drawing window, click on the ‘Text box’ button, which is usually represented by a “T” inside a box in the toolbar.

After clicking the ‘Text box’ button, your cursor will change to a crosshair. This indicates that you can now draw your text box on the canvas.

Step 5: Draw your text box

Click and drag your mouse to draw the text box on the canvas. You can make it as big or as small as you like.

As you draw your text box, think about where you want to place it in your document and how much text you want it to contain. You can always resize it later if you need to.

Step 6: Add your text

Once your text box is drawn, you can start typing your text into it. Format it as you would with regular text in a document.

Remember, text in a text box can be formatted just like any other text. You can change the font, size, color, alignment, and more.

Step 7: Save and close the drawing window

After you’ve added and formatted your text, click the ‘Save and Close’ button in the upper right corner of the drawing window.

Your text box will now be inserted into your Google Doc. You can click on it to move it around or to make further edits.

After completing these steps, your text box will be inserted into your Google Doc. You can move it around and place it wherever you’d like on the page. If you need to make changes, simply click on the text box and the drawing window will reopen, allowing you to edit the text or the box itself.

Tips for Using Text Boxes in Google Docs

  • Make sure your text box stands out by adding a border or changing the fill color.
  • Use text boxes to highlight quotes or important information.
  • Keep your text box size consistent if you’re using multiple text boxes in a document.
  • Text boxes can overlap with other elements, so be mindful of where you place them.
  • Remember that text boxes are separate from the main body of text, so text won’t flow around them automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I link text within a text box?

Yes, you can add hyperlinks to text within a text box just like you would with regular text in the document.

How do I delete a text box?

Simply click on the text box to select it and then press the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard.

Can I change the shape of my text box?

Yes, you can select the text box and then click and drag the handles to change its shape and size.

Is there a limit to how much text I can put in a text box?

There’s no specific limit, but if you have a lot of text, it may be better to use the main body of the document or create multiple text boxes.

Can I add images to a text box?

You can’t add images within the text box itself, but you can create a separate image in the ‘Drawing’ tool and position it near your text box.

Summary

  1. Open your Google Doc
  2. Click on the ‘Insert’ menu
  3. Select ‘Drawing’ then ‘New’
  4. Click on the ‘Text box’ button
  5. Draw your text box
  6. Add your text
  7. Save and close the drawing window

Conclusion

Adding a text box in Google Docs is a breeze once you know the steps. Whether you’re looking to add some flair to your document or simply want to draw attention to specific information, text boxes are the way to go. They offer versatility and can be customized to suit your needs. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different placements and formats to see what works best for your document.

Remember, the key to an engaging and well-designed document is balance. Use text boxes judiciously to enhance your content without overwhelming your readers. And now that you’re equipped with this knowledge, why not open up a Google Doc and give it a try? Happy writing!

Matthew Burleigh

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech content online for more than ten years. He enjoys writing about Google Docs in addition to many other applications and devices and has cumulatively covered Google’s word-processing application in hundreds of different articles.

He has been published on dozens of popular websites, and his works have accumulated millions of pageviews.
While focused primarily on tutorials and guides for popular electronics like the iPhone and iPad, as well as common applications like Microsoft Word, Powerpoint, and Excel, he covers topics across the entire technology spectrum.

You can read his bio here.

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