Google Docs makes it easy to create and edit documents online, but one feature that can be confusing for beginners is adding a text box. Unlike Microsoft Word, Google Docs does not place a direct text box option in the main toolbar. Instead, you need to use the Drawing feature to create one.
A text box can be useful when you want to highlight important information, create a callout, organize content, add labels to an image, or give your document a more professional layout. You can also customize the box by changing its border, background color, font, alignment, and size.
In this guide, you will learn how to insert text boxes in Google Docs step by step, including how to type inside the box, resize it, format it, and edit it later.
Insert Text Boxes in Google Docs
To insert a text box in Google Docs,
- open your document and go to Insert > Drawing > New.
- In the Drawing window, select the Text box button, then click and drag on the canvas to create your text box.
- Type your text inside the box and use the available formatting options to change the font, size, alignment, text color, background, or border.
- Click Save and close to insert the text box into your Google Docs document.
- To edit the text box later, click it in the document and select Edit.
Google Docs handles text boxes differently from some desktop word processors. You create the box inside the Drawing editor, then insert that drawing into your document.
This approach gives you several formatting options and lets you position the text box alongside other document elements.
Step 1: Open Your Google Docs Document
Start by opening Google Docs in your web browser and selecting the document where you want to add the text box. You can open an existing document or create a new one.
Once the document is open, click somewhere in the document if necessary so you can access the main Google Docs menu. You do not need to change the document’s existing text before adding the box.
For beginners, it helps to decide where you want the text box to appear before creating it. You might use one near a heading, beside an image, or underneath a paragraph to highlight additional information.
Step 2: Open the Drawing Tool
At the top of Google Docs, click Insert. A drop-down menu will appear with several options. Look for Drawing, then move your pointer over it and select New.
Google Docs will open a separate Drawing window over your document. This is where you will create the text box.
You may see several tools across the top of this window. Do not worry if the interface looks unfamiliar. You only need the Text Box tool for the basic process.
Step 3: Select the Text Box Tool
Inside the Drawing window, look for the Text box icon in the toolbar. It usually appears as a small box containing the letter T.
Click the Text box button. Your pointer will change so you can draw the area where you want the text to appear.
Now click and drag your mouse across the drawing canvas. The size of the area you drag determines the initial width and height of your text box.
You do not have to get the size perfect on the first try. You can adjust the dimensions later, so focus on creating an area that is large enough for your text.
Step 4: Enter Your Text
After creating the text box, simply start typing. Your text will appear inside the box.
You can enter a short sentence, several lines, a heading, or other information depending on what you are creating. If you need multiple lines, press Enter while typing.
For example, you could create a text box containing an important note such as “Remember to review this section before submitting the document.”
Keeping the text reasonably short can make your box easier to position and read. If you need to include a large amount of information, consider using regular paragraphs instead.
Format the Text
Once your text is inside the box, you can format it using the tools available in the Drawing window.
You can select your text and change the font, font size, bold formatting, italic formatting, text color, and alignment. You can also use options such as left, center, or right alignment depending on the layout you want.
For a simple professional document, a bold heading with regular supporting text can work well. If the text box is being used as a callout, you may want to center the text or increase its size.
Remember that formatting should improve readability rather than make the box overly complicated.
Customize the Text Box
Google Docs also lets you customize the appearance of the text box itself. You can change the background color and border color to make the box stand out.
Look for the Fill color option to change the background. You can choose a color that works with the rest of your document.
You can also use Border color to change the outline. The Border weight option lets you make the border thicker or thinner, while Border dash can change its appearance.
For business documents, lighter backgrounds and simple borders usually look cleaner. For school projects or presentations, you can use more noticeable formatting if it fits the purpose.
Resize the Text Box
If your text does not fit properly, you can resize the box before inserting it into the document.
Click the edges or corners of the text box and drag them to make the box wider, narrower, taller, or shorter. Watch the text as you resize it so you can see whether the layout improves.
A wider box can prevent unnecessary line breaks, while a taller box can give longer text more room. Try to leave enough space around the text so it does not look cramped.
Insert the Text Box Into the Document
Once you are happy with your text and formatting, click Save and close in the upper-right area of the Drawing window.
Google Docs will close the Drawing editor and place your newly created text box into the document.
At this point, the text box behaves like an inserted drawing object. You can click it to select it and use the available positioning options to control how it sits with the surrounding content.
Move the Text Box
If the text box is not positioned exactly where you want it, click it and drag it to another location.
Depending on your document layout, Google Docs may provide different text wrapping and positioning options. These options determine how the surrounding text interacts with the text box.
If you want the box to sit within the normal flow of your document, an inline arrangement may be easier. If you want more control over its position, choose an appropriate wrapping or positioning option when available.
Take a moment to check the surrounding paragraphs after moving the box. This helps prevent awkward gaps or unexpected spacing.
Edit the Text Box Later
You do not need to recreate the text box if you make a mistake later.
To edit an existing text box, click it in your Google Docs document. You should see an Edit option associated with the drawing. Click Edit to reopen the Drawing window.
From there, you can change the text, adjust its formatting, resize the box, or modify the border and background. When you finish, click Save and close again.
This is particularly useful when you are working on a document that changes frequently because you can update the text box without starting over.
Delete a Text Box
If you no longer need the text box, you can remove it from the document without affecting the rest of your content.
Click the text box to select it, then press the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard. The selected drawing should disappear from the document.
Before deleting it, make sure you have selected the entire text box rather than text inside the drawing. If you accidentally remove something, use Ctrl + Z on Windows or Command + Z on Mac to undo the action.
Faqs
Can I insert a text box directly from the Google Docs toolbar?
Google Docs does not provide a traditional standalone text box button in the main document toolbar. The standard method is to use Insert > Drawing > New, then select the Text box tool inside the Drawing editor.
Can I change the text box color in Google Docs?
Yes. Open the text box through the Drawing editor and use the Fill color option to change its background. You can also modify the border color and border weight.
Can I move a text box anywhere in Google Docs?
You can move the inserted drawing around the document, although its exact positioning depends on the available text wrapping and positioning settings. Adjust those settings if the box does not move where you expect.
Can I put an image inside a Google Docs text box?
The Drawing editor allows you to combine different objects, including text and images, within the same drawing. This can be useful when creating labels, diagrams, or visual callouts.
Why can’t I find the Text box option?
The Text box tool appears inside the Drawing editor, not directly in the standard Google Docs toolbar. Go to Insert > Drawing > New first, then look for the text box option.
Can I resize a text box after inserting it?
Yes. Select the inserted drawing and choose Edit to reopen it. You can then adjust the text box dimensions before saving the changes.
Does Google Docs have a text box shortcut?
There is no standard keyboard shortcut specifically for inserting a text box in Google Docs. The easiest method is to use Insert > Drawing > New and then select the Text box tool.
Bottom Lines
Adding a text box in Google Docs is straightforward once you know that the feature is located inside the Drawing editor. Start by opening Insert > Drawing > New, select the Text box tool, draw the box, enter your text, and customize its appearance. Then click Save and close to place it in your document.
For beginners, the key thing to remember is that the text box is treated as part of a drawing rather than as a standard paragraph element. This gives you useful control over formatting, borders, colors, sizing, and positioning.
Once you get comfortable with the Drawing editor, you can use text boxes to create cleaner callouts, highlighted notes, labels, and more visually organized Google Docs documents.