Adding a Border Around Text in a Chart

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated February 16, 2019)
This tip applies to Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003

When you are creating charts with Microsoft Graph, you can add different types of text to your chart. For instance, you can add both data labels and titles. Normally, Microsoft Graph displays just the text associated with these labels or titles. You can, however, add a border around the text. You might find it particularly useful to add a border around the chart title. To do this, follow these steps:

Select the text to which you want a border added. For example, if you want to add a border to the chart title, click on the title with the mouse. Microsoft Graph surrounds the title with a series of small black squares.
Choose Selected Chart Title from the Format menu. Microsoft Graph displays the Format Chart Title dialog box. The Patterns tab should be displayed. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Format Chart Title dialog box

In the Border area, use the Style drop-down list to select the type of line you want to use for the border.
In the Border area, select the color you want applied to the border using the Color drop-down list.
In the Border area, use the Weight drop-down list to select the line weight you wish to use for the border (you can select from four line weights).
Click on OK.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (715) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Smoothing Out Data Series

One way you can make your charts look more understandable is by removing the "jaggies" that are inherent to line charts. ...

Discover More

Table Rows Truncated in Printout

If you have problems getting the printout of a table to look correct, it can be frustrating. This tip provides a few ...

Discover More

Using Call to Run VBA Macros

An elegant way to run macros from within macros is to use the Call statement. In order to use it, you need to provide a ...

Discover More

Comprehensive VBA Guide Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) is the language used for writing macros in all Office programs. This complete guide shows both professionals and novices how to master VBA in order to customize the entire Office suite for their needs. Check out Mastering VBA for Office 2010 today!

More WordTips (menu)

Editing the Color Palette in Chart

Microsoft Chart uses a palette from which it pulls the colors it uses. Learn how to change the palette.

Discover More

Changing the Default Chart Type

If you don't have Excel installed on your system, Microsoft Graph is a handy way to create simple charts for your ...

Discover More

Including a Data Table with Your Chart

Microsoft Graph allows you to display both your chart and data, if desired. All it takes is to make a simple change to a ...

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is three minus 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the menu interface (Word 97, Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003)? This site is for you! If you use a later version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the ribbon interface.