Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. If you are using a later version (Word 2007 or later), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for later versions of Word, click here: Resizing a Text Box.

Resizing a Text Box

by Allen Wyatt
(last updated June 14, 2016)

3

Text boxes, regardless of what they contain, can be easily sized in Word. To change the size of an existing text box, follow these steps:

  1. Click once on the information within the text box. A box appears for the object (this is designated by eight squares, or handles, around the perimeter).
  2. Use the mouse to point to one of the handles. The pointer will change to a double-headed arrow. Click on the left mouse button.
  3. Drag the handle to resize the text box.
  4. Release the mouse button when the text box is the size you want. The information it contains is reformatted to fit within the newly resized text box.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (1054) applies to Microsoft Word 97, 2000, 2002, and 2003. You can find a version of this tip for the ribbon interface of Word (Word 2007 and later) here: Resizing a Text Box.

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. ...

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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}] 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.

What is nine more than 4?

2019-09-12 16:24:21

Edie

Thanks for your explanation. It worked like a charm.

2019-07-29 19:41:02

Ron


How do you resize the drop down menu box? For example, when I click "tools", and then click "options", a box appears with various options. How can I make this box larger? It is very small and hard to read. I have WORD 2002.

2019-07-29 19:31:50

Ron

How do you resize the drop down menu box? For example, when I click "tools", and then click "options", a box appears with various options. How can I make this box larger? It is very small and hard to read. I have WORD 2002.

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