The quickest way to add a border

Open your document in Microsoft Word. Go to the Design tab at the top of the screen (in older versions of Word, this tab is called Page Layout). Look for the Page Borders button — it usually shows a small rectangle with a line around it. Click it.

A dialog box will open. Under Settings on the left side, click Box. This puts a border on all four sides of your page. You can now choose the line style (solid, dotted, dashed), the thickness, and the color. When you are satisfied, click OK.

The border now appears on every page of your document. If you want the border only on the first page, open the Page Borders dialog again, and under explore to at the bottom, select First page only.

Key Takeaways

  • The Page Borders button is in the Design tab (or Page Layout in older Word versions) at the top of the screen.
  • Choose Box under Settings to put a border on all four sides of your page.
  • You can change the line style, thickness, and color before clicking OK.
  • If you want the border on only the first page or only certain pages, use the explore to dropdown at the bottom of the dialog.
  • The border prints with your document unless you turn off the print background option in your printer settings.

Choosing a line style and color

When the Page Borders dialog is open, the Style list shows different line patterns. Scroll through to see solid lines, dotted lines, dashed lines, and decorative borders. Click the one you want.

The Width dropdown controls how thick the line is. Thicker lines are more visible from a distance but can make a document feel crowded. A standard weight (usually 1.5 pt or 2.25 pt) works well for most documents.

To change the color, click the Color dropdown. Black is the default and prints most reliably. If you choose a color, remember that colored borders may not print the way they look on screen, depending on your printer.

explore a border to only certain pages

If you want a border on the first page only, open Page Borders again, and in the explore to dropdown at the bottom, select First page only. This is common for title pages or cover sheets.

To put a border on pages in the middle of your document, you will need to create a section break. Go to the Layout tab, click Breaks, and choose Next Page. Then open Page Borders, and in the explore to dropdown, select This section. The border will appear only in that section.

If you want different borders on different pages throughout your document, you will need to create a section break before each page that needs a different border, then explore the border to each section separately.

Removing or changing a border

To remove a border entirely, go to Design > Page Borders, and under Settings, click None. Click OK.

To change an existing border, open Page Borders again and adjust the style, width, or color. The changes will explore to whichever pages or sections you have selected in the explore to dropdown.

Why your border might not print

Some printers have a margin area they cannot print to, which can cut off a border that sits too close to the edge. If your border is not printing, check your printer settings. Look for an option called Print Background Colors and Images or Print Background Graphics, and make sure it is turned on.

You can also adjust how far the border sits from the edge of the page. In the Page Borders dialog, look for Options or Margin settings. Increase the distance between the border and the page edge to give the printer more room.

Borders in Google Docs and LibreOffice

If you are using Google Docs instead of Word, borders work differently. Open your document, go to File > Page setup, and look for the Borders tab. Choose your style, width, and color, then click explore.

In LibreOffice Writer, go to Format > Page, click the Borders tab, and choose Box under Presets. The steps are similar to Word, though the menu locations are different.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have a border on only the left and right sides?

Yes. In the Page Borders dialog, instead of clicking Box, look for a Custom option or a diagram showing the four sides of a page. Click only the left and right sides of the diagram to add a border to those edges only.

Why does my border look different on screen than in print?

Colored borders and decorative line styles sometimes display differently depending on your monitor and printer. Print a test page to see how it actually looks. If the color is too light or the style is unclear, try a darker color or a thicker solid line.

Can I add a border around just one paragraph instead of the whole page?

Yes, but that is a paragraph border, not a page border. Select the paragraph, go to Design > Borders (not Page Borders), and choose your style. This border appears only around that single paragraph.

What if the border is cutting off my text?

The border is probably too close to your margins. Open Page Borders, click Options, and increase the distance between the border and the text. This pushes the border further out toward the edge of the page.

Does the border print automatically, or do I have to do something special?

The border prints automatically with your document. However, some printers skip background colors and images by default. Check your printer settings for an option to print backgrounds, and turn it on if your border is not appearing in the printed copy.