Adding a Drop Shadow to a Text Box

Text boxes are used quite often in some Word documents to hold information that is ancillary to the main text within the document. For instance, you might use a text box to create a sidebar or other text object. To enhance your layout design using text boxes, you can add a drop shadow so the text box appears to float about the actual printed page.

To add a drop shadow to a text box, follow these steps if you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007:

1. Make sure the Drawing toolbar is displayed. (You can click on the Drawing tool on the standard toolbar to display the Drawing toolbar.)
2. Select the text box you want to format. Small selection handles should appear around the perimeter of the text box.
3. Click on the Shadow tool on the Drawing toolbar. (In Word 2002 and Word 2003 the tool is called Shadow Style.) Word displays a palette of available shadows.
4. Click on the shadow desired.

Word 2007 no longer uses the Drawing toolbar, so if you have this version of Word you'll need to follow these steps:

1. Select the text box you want to format. Small selection handles should appear around the perimeter of the text box.
2. Click the Format tab of the ribbon. (This tab is only visible when you select a text box, as directed in step 1.)
3. Click on the Shadow Style tool in the Shadow Effects group. Word displays a palette of available shadows.
4. Click on the shadow desired.