PlayInfoBox

Home /Utilities /How to Add a Page Border in Word

How to Add a Page Border in Word

Tap a step to see it in order.

  1. Open the "Design" tab

    Click the Design tab on the ribbon.

  2. Click "Page Borders"

    In the Page Background group, click Page Borders.

  3. Choose a border style

    Under Setting, pick a box or shadow style, and adjust the line type, color, and width.

  4. Choose a decorative art border (optional)

    Selecting a picture-based border like hearts or stars from the Art dropdown gives it a more festive look.

Great for certificates and invitations

When making a document like a diploma, certificate, or wedding invitation that needs a border wrapping the whole page, the Page Borders feature makes it easy to raise the finished look without adding any separate graphics.

A page border is different from a paragraph border

Page Borders, found on the Design tab, wraps the entire page. Word also has a separate paragraph-level border and shading tool (Home tab > Borders and Shading), which only outlines or highlights a specific paragraph or block of text -- useful for calling out a single quote or note rather than framing the whole document.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply a border to just one specific page?

Yes -- choosing "This Section" or "This Section - First Page Only" from the "Apply to" dropdown lets you limit the border to only the range you want.

What if the border gets clipped when printing?

Click the "Options" button and change the margin measured from "Text" instead, or adjust the margin values, so the border fits within your printer's printable area.