The usual routine for entering a text box into a Word document is to select the spot where you want the text box to appear, choose Text Box from the Insert menu, drag the insertion point until the text box is about the right size, and then enter the text. This method is a bit inefficient, because you usually have to resize the text box a bit. It's difficult to get the size just right before you actually enter the text. I like to enter the text and then insert the text box. That way, the text box adjusts to the text automatically. The approach seems a bit backward, but it's more efficient. Here's how to enter a text box based on the text:
- Enter the text in the document anywhere you like. You can move the text box later.
- Choose Text box from the Insert menu.
Add a border to some text. Note: Make sure that the Apply to box has the correct setting: Text or Paragraph. Add, change, or delete borders from documents or pictures. Add a border to a table. You can add a border to an individual word, a line of text, or an entire paragraph. You can make borders as plain or fancy as you want.
It's that simple. Word inserts and fills the text box using the selected text and adjusts the size of the text box, accordingly. This method is more efficient than the more traditional method of filling an existing text box. Word 2010 has a way to let you add dynamic (changing) elements to your document. You can insert fields, which are tidbits that can change, in a Word document, depending on a number of factors. The fields are updated as your document or its characteristics change. Here’s an example of how to make fields work:
1In your Word document, type: This document is .
Be sure to type a space after the word is.
2Choose Quick Parts→Field from the Insert tab’s Text group.
The left side of the Field dialog box contains scrolling lists of categories in the Field Names list. These categories represent various changing items you can insert into your document.
3In the Field dialog box, choose the FileSize item.
Additional options appear on the right side of the dialog box. For this example, however, you don’t need to choose any of those options.
4Click the OK button.
The document’s file size in bytes is inserted as text in your document. It’s not really text, though: It’s a field. The amount changes when your document is edited and saved.
5Type another space, and then type: bytes in size.
The text you end up with might look something like this: This document is 58368 bytes in size. The number of bytes you see reflects the size of your document.
6To adjust a field, right-click the field and choose Edit Field from the pop-up menu that appears.
The Field dialog box is redisplayed, allowing you to make modifications to the field.
7To ensure that the field displays up-to-date information, right-click it and choose the Update Field command from the pop-up menu that appears.
For example, the FileSize field can be updated after you save your document, but the new value appears only when you use the Update Field command.
8If you want to erase a field, select that field and press Backspace.
The field’s text is also erased.
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