WD2000: Cannot Apply Box, Shadow, or 3-D Border to Some Sides of Text Selection (211704)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Word 2000
This article was previously published under Q211704

SYMPTOMS

When you apply a border to text in Word 2000, you can only apply a box border, a shadow border, or a 3-D border that surrounds all four sides of the text. You cannot apply one of these borders to only some sides of the text.

NOTE: A custom border to only some sides of the text can be applied only to a paragraph, not to selected text within a paragraph.

WORKAROUND

To work around this problem, use one of the following methods appropriate for your situation.

Method 1: Use an Underline

To create a bottom border underneath the text, format the text with the underline character style. To do so, follow these steps.

NOTE: This method does not allow you to create a top border, left border, or right border around the text. It also does not allow you to have a different underline color than the text color.

  1. Select the text.
  2. On the Format menu, click Font.
  3. In the Underline box, select the style of underlining you want to apply, and then click OK.

Method 2: Use a Text Box

Insert a text box, and then format the text box line properties. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. On the Insert menu, click Text Box. When your pointer changes to a PLUS SIGN (+), click and drag out the width and height that you want your text box to be. Type your text inside the text box.
  2. On the Format menu, select Text Box. Click the Layout tab, and then set the wrapping style to Tight. This allows the text box to be placed alongside existing text.
  3. Click the Colors and Lines tab, and then select the options you want under Color, Style, Dashed, and Weight. Click OK.

Method 3: Use a Text Box and Border

Insert a text box, and then apply a border to the text box. To do so, follow these steps:
  1. On the Insert menu, click Text Box. When your pointer changes to a PLUS SIGN (+), click and drag out the width and height you want your text box to be. Type your text inside the text box.
  2. On the Format menu, select Text Box. Click the Layout tab, and then set the wrapping style to Tight. This allows the text box to be placed alongside existing text.
  3. Click the Colors and Lines tab, and then set the line color to No Line.
  4. On the Format menu, click Borders and Shading. Select the custom border options that you want.

Method 4: Use Equation Editor

Insert the text as an equation, and then apply a border to the equation. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. On the Insert menu, click Object. In the Object dialog box, select Microsoft Equation 3.0. Make sure the check box beside Float Over Text is not selected.NOTE: If Equation Editor has not been installed, you need to run Setup again and select Equation Editor under Office Tools.

  2. On the Style menu, select Text, and then type your text. After you are finished, click anywhere outside of the equation box to return to your Word document.
  3. On the Format menu, click Borders and Shading. On the Borders tab, click Custom, select the options that you want, and then click OK.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:12/6/2000
Keywords:kbprb KB211704
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