Jan's Working with Words

Step-by-Step: Format Text Boxes

Start with:   , textboxes-Lastname-Firstname.docx

Resize Text Box: Drag

It is easy to change the length and width of a text box. You can drag or, as you did in the previous lesson, use the Size boxes on the ribbon.

1. If necessary, open textboxes-Lastname-Firstname.docx
   
2. Save as  textboxes2-Lastname-Firstname.docx  in the  word project3  folder of your Class disk.
   
3. Select Text Box 1 at the upper left.
   
4. Drag one of the text box handles in the corner.
   The height and width of the text box change.
   
5. Undo.
6. Hold the SHIFT key down and drag a corner handle.
   The proportions stay the same. The upper left corner stays in place
   
7. Undo.
8.   Hold the CTRL key down and drag a corner handle.
   The proportions stay the same but it is the center of the shape that stays in place as you resize.
   
9. Undo.
   Your text box should be back to 1" x 1".

Change Shape

You are not stuck with plain white text boxes. You can change that plain shape to one of the other AutoShapes, but not by using the gallery for new shapes. It's a bit confusing since the galleries look exactly the same.

1. Click on Text Box 1, if necessary, to select it. 

2. Open the gallery of shapes to change the shape:

   Word 2007: On the Text Box Tools: Format tab in Text Box Styles tab group, click the button Change Shape .
   A gallery of shapes appears.
   

     Word 2010, 2013, 2016:
   On the Drawing Tools: Format tab in the Text tab group, click the Edit Shape button and then on Change Shape.
   The gallery of shapes opens. It looks exactly like the gallery for a new shape.
    

3. Experiment: Apply a different shape.
   Click on a shape of your choice. There is no Live Preview.
   The selected shape sizes itself to fit the width and height of the existing text box.

   How does the text flow change? Is there enough room in your new shape for the lines that fit in the rectangle?
   Try other shapes. Most shapes hold less text than the rectangle does.

   When you are ready to continue...
   

4. Select the Horizontal Scroll shape in the Stars and Banners section.
   Two paragraphs fit in this shape at 1" x 1".
   
5. Save.
   [textboxes2-Lastname-Firstname.docx] 
   

Adjust AutoShape with Adjustment Handle

All shapes have resizing handles and a rotation handle. The more complex shapes also have one or more adjustment handles that changes the proportions of the parts of the shape.

1. Move your pointer over the yellow/gold adjustment handle. The pointer changes to a delta shape for editing a vector drawing.
   
   Problem: No adjustment handle showing
   Solution: Click on the box border.
   

2. Drag in various directions. The figure shape changes, but the overall height and width of the figure do not change! This is just too cool!!

   For this shape it's the tightness of the scroll and the height of the "paper" that the changes when you drag the adjustment handle. Many AutoShapes have a handle like this. The effect varies depending on the shape.
   

3. Apply a different shape of your own choice to each of the other text boxes.
   
4. Resize, reposition, and adjust the shapes as you wish.
   
5. Save.
   [textboxes2-Lastname-Firstname.docx] 
   

Format Text Box and its Text

1. Experiment: Format text boxes.
   Make each one different.
   
   You may use tools on the Mini-Toolbar or the  Text Tools or Drawing Tools ribbon tab that work on the text box itself: fill color, line color, line style, effects. Try to arrive at an attractive, or at least interesting, combination.
    
   Your results should be different from the illustration and from any other student's formatting.
    FYI: A gradient with a path shape can create the effect for the explosion shape in the example.
2. After you have finished formatting the text boxes themselves, format the text inside using the tools on the Home tab and on the Text Tools or Drawing Tools tab.
   (Your document should be different from the illustration and from any other student's!)
   
   As you format, you may find your text moves into the next text box. The text formatting does not change to match its new home! It may not work very well. Can you see the 4 in the explosion text box in the illustration? It's white color was OK in the red the heart but does not work well now.
    

3. Preview.
   Keep in mind that Print Preview does not show what the page will look like if you print in gray scale or black and white instead of color.

   Some of your color choices may print as the same gray. This can make text disappear!

   Make changes, if necessary, so that your print out will be clear. In the illustration, the numbers in Text Box 1 barely show in gray scale. (They did not show really well in color to start with!)
   

4.  Save.
   [textboxes2-Lastname-Firstname.docx] 
5.  Print.
   
6. Close the document.