Creating See-through Text Boxes

Summary: When laying out your document, you may want to use a text box that appears to be positioned over your text, but to be transparent so you can see what is behind the text box. Here's how to create just that type of element. (This tip works with Microsoft Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, Word 2003, and Word 2007.)

Word allows you to create text boxes in your document. These can be used to create special document elements, such as sidebars or boxed text. There may be times when you want the text box to be transparent, meaning that whatever is behind the text box shows through. There are two ways you can handle this: you can either make the text box partially transparent or make it fully transparent. To control the transparency, follow these steps:

Place your text box, as normal.
Right-click on the text box. Word displays a Context menu.
Choose Format Text Box from the Context menu. Word displays the Format Text Box dialog box.
Make sure the Colors and Lines tab is selected. (Click here to see a related figure.)
Click the Semitransparent check box if you want a "ghost image" of what is behind the text box to show through.
If you want the text box to be fully transparent, use the Color setting in the Fill area to choose No Fill.
Display the Layout tab. (Click here to see a related figure.) (In Word 97 it is the Wrapping tab).
Make sure the wrapping style is set to None or In Front of Text.
Click on OK.

Tip #609 applies to Microsoft Word versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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Creating See-through Text Boxes