How to create boxes in google docs

It has many features available to help you visually enhance your writing and make specific parts stand out more.

One of the ways you can add more functionality to your documents is by adding a textbox.

A textbox helps make any topics you want to highlight and bring attention to more prominent.

Your readers and target audience will better understand the information you're trying to convey and the message you want to get across.

It's also a helpful method for note-taking. Text boxes help point out topics you want to pay extra attention to and not miss.

In this quick and easy guide, you'll learn how to insert a textbox into your Google Document with just a couple of simple steps.

Let's get started!

How to add a Textbox in Google Docs

First of all, make sure you're logged into your Google Account.

Then, navigate to Google Docs and create a new document by double-clicking on 'Blank'.

How to create boxes in google docs

If you want to add a textbox to an existing document, choose the document you want from the options in 'Recent Documents' by double-clicking on it.

Once you've opened (or created) a Google Doc, click on 'Insert'. A drop-down menu will appear, and from there you navigate to 'Drawing'.

How to create boxes in google docs

From there, click on 'Drawing' and select 'New'.

How to create boxes in google docs

Once you click 'New', a new window will open up. This is the Drawing Tool and the place where you'll be able to insert a textbox.

How to create boxes in google docs

In the toolbar, select the 'Text box' icon. It's the square with the letter 'T' inside it.

How to create boxes in google docs

Once you've tapped that icon, you'll notice that your cursor has changed. It now looks like a little plus sign or a 'crosshair cursor' as it's known.

How to create boxes in google docs

This now indicates that you can start drawing your textbox and give it a shape.

Drag and move the crosshair cursor to make a textbox. Then adjust the size you want it to have by clicking and dragging its corners.

How to create boxes in google docs

To add some text, double click inside the textbox that you just created. You'll see a blinking cursor come up, indicating that you can start writing.

How to create boxes in google docs

How to Customize a Textbox in Google Docs

To make further edits to the text you've added, such as aligning it in the center, changing the color, font-style, or font-family, adding lists, and so on, click on the three dots on the right hand side.

How to create boxes in google docs

You can add a background-color if you want to make the textbox stand out more.

You do this by selecting the 'fill color' icon which is the paint bucket icon. A color picker will appear for you to select your desired background-color.

How to create boxes in google docs

If you want, you can also add a color to the box's border. Select the 'Border color' icon and pick a color of your choice.

How to create boxes in google docs

You can also change the thickness of the border. Select the 'Border weight' icon which is on the right of the 'Border color'.

How to create boxes in google docs

You can even change the border style with the 'Border dash' icon, giving the border a dotted style.

How to create boxes in google docs

To save your work, click 'Save and Close'.

How to create boxes in google docs

And there you have it, the textbox now appears in your Google Document.

How to create boxes in google docs

If you want to make further changes to the textbox, click on it and the contextual menu will appear.

From here, you'll be able to click 'Edit' and be taken back to the Drawing Tool, or you can adjust the text and margin in line, wrap or break the text inside the textbox, and more.

How to create boxes in google docs

How to Insert Custom Shapes in Google Docs

Besides just adding a textbox, there are a variety of different available shapes to choose from and add to your documents.

You can combine these shapes (such as arrows, mathematical equation signs, and so on) with textboxes to make your document more interactive and stand out even more.

To create a custom shape, in the Drawing Tool (Insert -> Drawing -> New), navigate to the 'Shape' icon which is on the left of the 'Text box' icon.

How to create boxes in google docs

After clicking on it, you'll see a dropdown menu with all the available categories – 'Shapes', 'Arrows', 'Callouts', 'Equation'.

How to create boxes in google docs

How to create boxes in google docs

How to create boxes in google docs

How to create boxes in google docs

How to create boxes in google docs

To create a shape, choose one you like and then click on the drawing area so that it appears.

How to create boxes in google docs

How to create boxes in google docs

From there you can adjust the size of the shape and move it around by draggind and dropping its edges (via the little squares at the edges of the spape).

How to create boxes in google docs

Similarly to the textbox, you can add a background-color and a border color to it and adjust any text you add in the shape. You do this by clicking on the three dots on the far right corner of the toolbox where there are more options for further customization.

How to create boxes in google docs

When you've finished your work, click 'Save and Close'.

How to create boxes in google docs

Your shape will then be added to your Google Document.

Thanks for reading! Have fun customizing your Google Docs.

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How to create boxes in google docs
Dionysia Lemonaki

Learning something new everyday and writing about it


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How do you insert multiple boxes in Google Docs?

Add more than one row, column, or cell.
On your computer, open a spreadsheet in Google Sheets..
Highlight the number of rows, columns, or cells you want to add. To highlight multiple items: ... .
Right-click the rows, columns, or cells..
From the menu that appears, select Insert [Number] or Insert cells. For example:.

How do you make the little boxes on Google Docs?

Insert a text box.
Click Insert..
Click Drawing and then New. ... .
Click on the Text box icon. ... .
Click and drag the mouse to shape the box to the size that you want, then release the mouse..
Input what you want to appear in the text box and then hit Save and close..

How do you make a rectangle box in Google Docs?

To insert a shape:.
Click Insert; then, hover over Drawing and select New from the drop-down menu..
The Drawing dialog box will appear..
Select a drawing command. ... .
Click and drag in the drawing area to create the shape to the desired size..
Release the mouse. ... .
If you want, you can add more shapes..