Outlining a font in Word is a nifty way to make your text pop. Whether you’re designing a flyer, creating a presentation, or just spicing up your document, an outlined font can add a professional touch. In this short overview, I’ll guide you through the quick steps needed to achieve this effect in Word. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to outline your fonts like a pro.
Step by Step Tutorial: How to Outline Font in Word
Before we dive in, let’s clarify what we’ll achieve with these steps. We’re going to create a border around each letter of your chosen text, making it stand out against the background. Ready to get started?
Step 1: Open Your Document
Open the Word document where you want to outline the font.
When you open your document, make sure you’re on the page where you want to add the outlined font. It’s easier to work when you’re right where you need to be.
Step 2: Highlight the Text
Select the text you want to outline by clicking and dragging over it.
Highlighting the text is key because any changes you make will only apply to the text you’ve selected. If you want to outline a single word or sentence, be precise with your selection.
Step 3: Open the Font Dialog Box
Right-click the highlighted text and choose ‘Font’ from the context menu to open the font dialog box.
This step might seem tricky, but it’s quite simple. The font dialog box is where all the magic happens. You can also access this box by clicking the small arrow in the bottom corner of the ‘Font’ group on the ‘Home’ tab.
Step 4: Add the Outline
In the font dialog box, click on the ‘Text Effects’ button, then go to ‘Outline’ and choose your desired outline style and color.
This is where you can get creative. You can choose the thickness of your outline, the color, and even if you want it to be a solid or dashed line. Play around with it to get the look you want.
Step 5: Apply Your Changes
Click ‘OK’ to apply the outline to your selected text.
After you click ‘OK’, you’ll see your text transform with the outline effect applied. It’s as easy as that!
After completing these steps, your text will stand out with a beautiful outline. This effect can be used for headings, titles, or any text you want to emphasize.
Tips: How to Outline Font in Word
- If you want your text to be more readable, choose an outline color that contrasts well with the background.
- For a subtle effect, use a thin outline; for something more bold, go with a thicker outline.
- Remember that outlined text can be harder to read, so use this effect sparingly, especially in longer passages.
- You can also combine an outline with other text effects, like shadow or reflection, for a more complex look.
- Save your document after applying the outline to ensure you don’t lose your work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I remove the outline from the text?
Select the text with the outline, open the font dialog box, and under ‘Text Effects,’ set the outline to ‘None.’
Removing an outline is just as simple as adding one. If you change your mind or make a mistake, you can easily undo it.
Can I outline text in any color?
Yes, Word allows you to choose from a variety of colors for your text outline.
The color options in Word are pretty extensive, so you should be able to find the perfect hue for your outline.
Does outlining text make it larger?
Outlining text doesn’t increase the font size, but it can make the text appear bigger because of the added border.
Keep this in mind if you’re working with limited space. The outline might make the text spill over into another area.
Can I outline text that’s already bold or italicized?
Yes, you can outline text regardless of whether it’s bold, italicized, or underlined.
Outlining adds another layer of emphasis to your already formatted text.
Can I apply an outline to text in a table?
Yes, you can outline text within a table just as you would with any other text in your document.
Tables don’t limit your ability to add text effects, including outlining.
Summary
- Open your document.
- Highlight the text to outline.
- Open the font dialog box.
- Add the outline effect.
- Apply the changes.
Conclusion
Outlining font in Word is a simple yet impactful way to enhance your documents. It’s a skill that’s useful for students, professionals, and anyone in between who wants to add a touch of sophistication to their work. With the steps and tips provided, you’re now equipped to apply this effect with ease. Remember, it’s all about making your text stand out, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors and thicknesses to find the style that best suits your needs. As always, practice makes perfect, so the more you play around with outlining fonts in Word, the better you’ll get. And who knows, maybe you’ll discover a hidden talent for document design! Keep exploring the many features Word has to offer, and you’ll be amazed at what you can create.
Matthew Burleigh has been a freelance writer since the early 2000s. You can find his writing all over the Web, where his content has collectively been read millions of times.
Matthew received his Master’s degree in Computer Science, then spent over a decade as an IT consultant for small businesses before focusing on writing and website creation.
The topics he covers for MasterYourTech.com include iPhones, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps.
You can read his full bio here.