You can change the color, weight, or style of an outside border of a text box, shape, or SmartArt graphic, or you can remove the border altogether.
If you are changing the border of a SmartArt graphic, you will find the tools under SmartArt Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group.
Change the color of a text box, shape, or SmartArt border
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Select the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold Ctrl while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Click the Format tab, click Shape Outline, and under Theme Colors, select the color you want.
If you don't see the Format tab, make sure you've selected the text box or shape.
Notes:
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You can also right-click the edge of a shape, click the Outline icon, and then select the color you want.
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In PowerPoint, you can also change the border by clicking Shape Outline on the Home tab.
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In Project, right-click the text box or shape, click Properties, and use the controls on the Line & Fill tab to change the border color.
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Change the border to a color that isn't in the theme colors
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Select the text box or shape.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, click Shape Outline, and then click More Outline Colors.
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In the Colors dialog box, either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.
Change the weight of a text box, shape, or SmartArt border
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Select the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold Ctrl while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Click the Format tab, click Shape Outline, point to Weight, and then click the line weight that you want.
If you don't see the Format tab, make sure you've selected the text box or shape.
Notes:
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You can also right-click the edge of a shape, click the Outline icon, point to Weight, and then click the line weight you want.
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In PowerPoint, you can also change the border by clicking Shape Outline on the Home tab.
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In Project, right-click the text box or shape, click Properties, and on the Line & Fill tab, select a width from the Line list.
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Change the line weight of the border to a custom weight
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Select the text box or shape.
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In the Format tab, click Shape Outline, point to Weight, and then select More Lines.
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In the Format Shape pane, under Line, in the Width box, type the weight that you want.
Change the style of a text box, shape, or SmartArt border
These commands aren't available for Project.
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Select the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold Ctrl while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Click the Format tab, click Shape Outline, point to Dashes, and then click the border style you want.
If you don't see Format tab, make sure you've selected the text box or shape.
Notes:
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You can also right-click the edge of a shape, click the Outline icon, point to Dashes, and then click the line style that you want.
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In PowerPoint, you can also change the border by clicking Shape Outline on the Home tab.
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Change the style of the border to a custom line style
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Select the text box or shape.
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On the Format tab, click Shape Outline, point to Dashes, and then select More Lines.
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In the Format Shape pane, under Line, select the line style options that you want.
Remove the border from a text box, shape, or SmartArt graphic
If you need to remove a border from a shape in Project, see Remove a border in Project, later in this article.
Note: If you want to delete a text box, see Remove a text box.
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Select the text box or shape border that you want to remove.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold Ctrl while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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On the Format tab, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
Notes:
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You can also right-click the edge of the shape, click the Outline icon, and then click No Outline.
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In PowerPoint, you can also click Shape Outline on the Home tab.
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Remove a border in Project
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Right-click the edge of the text box or shape, click the Outline icon, and then click No Outline.
See also
Add, change, or delete borders from documents or pictures
Add a fill or effect to a shape or text box
Change the color of a text box, shape, or SmartArt border
To change the border of a text box or shape, follow the steps below.
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Select the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold CTRL while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline, and under Theme Colors, select the color that you want. .
If you do not see the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you have selected the text box or shape. You might have to double-click the text box or shape to open the Format tab.
Notes:
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In PowerPoint, you can also change the border on the Home tab, in the Drawing group, by clicking Shape Outline.
The Drawing group on the Home tab in the PowerPoint 2010 ribbon.
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Change the border to a color that isn't in the theme colors
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Select the text box or shape.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, click Shape Outline, and then click More Outline Colors.
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In the Colors dialog box, either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.
Change the weight of a text box, shape, or SmartArt border
To change the border of a text box or shape, follow the steps below.
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Select the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold CTRL while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline, point to Weight, and then click the line weight that you want.
If you do not see the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you have selected the text box or shape. You might have to double-click the text box or shape to open the Format tab.
Notes:
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In PowerPoint, you can also change the border on the Home tab, in the Drawing group, by clicking Shape Outline.
The Drawing group on the Home tab in the PowerPoint 2010 ribbon.
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Change the line weight of the border to a custom weight
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Select the text box or shape.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, click Shape Outline, point to Weight, and then select More Lines.
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In the Format Shape dialog box, under Line Style, in the Width box type the weight that you want.
Change the style of a text box, shape, or SmartArt border
To change the border of a text box or shape, follow the steps below.
-
Select the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold CTRL while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline, point to Dashes, and then click the border style that you want.
If you do not see the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you have selected the text box or shape. You might have to double-click the text box or shape to open the Format tab.
Notes:
-
In PowerPoint, you can also change the border on the Home tab, in the Drawing group, by clicking Shape Outline.
The Drawing group on the Home tab in the PowerPoint 2010 ribbon.
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Change the style of the border to a custom line style
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Select the text box or shape.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, click Shape Outline, point to Dashes, and then select More Lines.
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In the Format Shape dialog box, under Line Style, select the line style options that you want.
Remove the border from a text box, shape, or SmartArt graphic
Note: To delete a text box, see Add, copy, or delete a text box.
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Select the text box or shape border that you want to remove.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold CTRL while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
If you do not see the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you have selected the text box or shape. You might have to double-click the text box or shape to open the Format tab.
Tips:
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In PowerPoint, you can also remove the border on the Home tab, in the Drawing group, by clicking Shape Outline.
The Drawing group on the Home tab in the PowerPoint 2010 ribbon.
See also
Add a fill or effect to a shape or text box
Add, change, or delete borders from documents or pictures
Change a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in Excel
Note: To change the border of a text box or shape, follow the steps below. To change the border of a cell, see Apply or remove cell borders on a worksheet.
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Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
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Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline.
If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box or shape.
-
Do one or more of the following:
-
To change the color of the text box or shape border, click the color that you want.
To change to a color that isn't in the theme colors, click More Outline Colors, and then either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.
-
To change the width or weight of the border, point to Weight, and then click the line weight that you want.
To create a custom line weight, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
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To change the style of the border, point to Dashes, and then click the border style that you want.
To create a custom style, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
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Tip: You can also apply fill or effects to your text box or shape. For more information, see Add a fill or effect to a shape or text box or Add or delete a shape fill or shape effect.
Change a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in Outlook
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Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes. If you have both multiple text boxes and multiple shapes, you must click either all text boxes or all shapes.
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Do one of the following:
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For a text box, under Text Box Tools, on the Format tab, in the Text Box Styles group, click Shape Outline.
If you do not see either the Text Box Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box.
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For a shape, under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the arrow next to Shape Outline.
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If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a shape.
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Do one or more of the following:
-
To change the color of the text box or shape border, click the color that you want.
To change to a color that isn't in the theme colors, click More Outline Colors, and then either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.
-
To change the width or weight of the border, point to Weight, and then click the line weight that you want.
To create a custom line weight, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
-
To change the style of the border, point to Dashes, and then click the border style that you want.
To create a custom style, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
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To change the pattern of the border, click Pattern, and then choose the options that you want.
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Tip: You can also apply fill or effects to your text box or shape. For more information, see Add a fill or effect to a shape or text box or Add or delete a shape fill or shape effect.
Change a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in PowerPoint
-
Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
-
Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline.
If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box or shape.
-
Do one or more of the following:
-
To change the color of the text box or shape border, click the color that you want.
To change to a color that isn't in the theme colors, click More Outline Colors, and then either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.
-
To change the width or weight of the border, point to Weight, and then click the line weight that you want.
To create a custom line weight, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
-
To change the style of the border, point to Dashes, and then click the border style that you want.
To create a custom style, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
Notes:
-
You can also change the border on the Home tab, in the Drawing group, by clicking Shape Outline.
-
You can also apply fill or effects to your text box or shape. For more information, see Add a fill or effect to a shape or text box or Add or delete a shape fill or shape effect.
-
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Change a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in Word
Note: To change the border of a text box or shape, follow the steps below. To add or change a border in your document, see Add, change, or delete borders from documents or pictures. To change the border of a table cell, see Format a table.
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Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to change.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes. If you have both multiple text boxes and multiple shapes, you must click either all text boxes or all shapes.
-
Do one of the following:
-
For a text box, under Text Box Tools, on the Format tab, in the Text Box Styles group, click Shape Outline.
If you do not see either the Text Box Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box.
-
For a shape, under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the arrow next to Shape Outline.
If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a shape.
-
-
Do one or more of the following:
-
To change the color of the text box or shape border, click the color that you want.
To change to a color that isn't in the theme colors, click More Outline Colors, and then either click the color that you want on the Standard tab, or mix your own color on the Custom tab. Custom colors and colors on the Standard tab are not updated if you later change the document theme.
-
To change the width or weight of the border, point to Weight, and then click the line weight that you want.
To create a custom line weight, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
-
To change the style of the border, point to Dashes, and then click the border style that you want.
To create a custom style, click More Lines, and then choose the options that you want.
-
To change the pattern of the border, click Pattern, and then choose the options that you want.
-
Tip: You can also apply fill or effects to your text box or shape. For more information, see Add a fill or effect to a shape or text box or Add or delete a shape fill or shape effect.
Remove a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in Excel
-
Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to remove.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
-
Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box or shape.
Remove a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in Outlook
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Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to remove.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes. If you have both multiple text boxes and multiple shapes, you must click either all text boxes or all shapes.
-
Do one of the following:
-
For a text box, under Text Box Tools, on the Format tab, in the Text Box Styles group, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
If you do not see either the Text Box Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box.
-
For a shape, under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the arrow next to Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a shape.
-
Remove a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in PowerPoint
-
Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to remove.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes.
-
Under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box or shape.
Tip: You can also remove the border on the Home tab, in the Drawing group, by clicking Shape Outline, and then clicking No Outline.
Remove a text box, shape, or SmartArt border in Word
-
Double-click the text box or shape border that you want to remove.
If you want to change multiple text boxes or shapes, click the first text box or shape, and then press and hold SHIFT while you click the other text boxes or shapes. If you have both multiple text boxes and multiple shapes, you must click either all text boxes or all shapes.
-
Do one of the following:
-
For a text box, under Text Box Tools, on the Format tab, in the Text Box Styles group, click Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
If you do not see either the Text Box Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a text box.
-
For a shape, under Drawing Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click the arrow next to Shape Outline, and then click No Outline.
If you do not see either the Drawing Tools or Format tabs, make sure that you selected a shape.
-
See also
Add a fill or effect to a shape or text box
Add, change, or delete borders from documents or pictures
Add or delete a shape fill or shape effect
