How to Add Text Outline Effect in Microsoft Word

In this article, we will walk you through how to add, customize, and remove the text outline effect in Microsoft Word.

How to Add Text Outline Effect in Microsoft Word

Microsoft Office Word offers a variety of effects, well enough for you to create a stand-out document. This guide will show you how to add and customize the outline effect to any text.

To add an outline to a text in Microsoft Word, select any text you want to have the effect. Click on the Text Effects and Typography icon from the Home ribbon tab, move the mouse cursor over the Outline menu, and select your desired outline color and options.

For more detailed directions, check the following step-by-step guides.

Add a Text Outline Effect or Text Border in Word

Follow the steps to add an outline or border effect to your text in Microsoft Word:

  1. Open an existing document and select any text you want to have the outline effect.
    MS Word: Select text to add text outline effect
  2. Click on Text Effects and Typography in the Home ribbon tab.
  3. Hover the mouse cursor over the Outline menu, and select your preferred outline color from the color palette.
    MS Word: Home - Text Effects - Outline - Pick a color

You will see the selected outline color applied to your selected text. 

Customize Text Outline Effect in Word

In addition to the default outline appearance and color, you can customize its line width, dash type, and more. Use these steps to do that:

  1. Select any text you want to have the outline effect.
  2. Click on Text Effects and Typography in the Home ribbon tab.
  3. Hover the mouse cursor over the Outline menu.
  4. Select the Weight or Dashes menu.
  5. And click the More Lines menu.
    MS Word: Text Outline Effects - More Lines
  6. It will open the Format Text Effects sidebar.
    MS Word: Text Solid Outline Options

There are three outline options you can choose from the Text Outline effect:

  1. No line – to remove the outline.
  2. Solid line – to add and format a single color outline to the text. Here are the customizable options for the solid line.
    Word: Solid Line Text Outline Options
  3. Gradient line – to add and format a gradient color outline to the text. Here are the customizable options for the gradient line.
    Word: Gradient Line Text Outline Options

Notice the difference when you change each outline option. When you find your desired one, you can close the sidebar.

Remove a Text Outline Effect in Word

To remove the text outline effect from any text in Word, use these steps:

Method 1: Apply No Outline

  1. Select any text you want to remove the outline or border effect.
  2. Click on Text Effects and Typography in the Home ribbon tab.
  3. Hover the mouse cursor over the Outline menu, and select No Outline from the menu.
    MS Word: Remove Text Outline with No Outline option

Method 2: Clear All Formatting

  1. Select any text you want to remove the outline effect.
  2. Click on the Clear All Formatting icon in the Home ribbon tab.
    MS Word: Remove Text Outline Effect with Clear All Formatting

That’s how you can easily add, customize, and remove the text outline effect in Microsoft Word. Please leave any questions you might have while doing this tutorial. You can do that by simply using the comments section below.