How to Add a Page Border in Word

Microsoft Word makes it simple to create documents for everything from personal letters and school papers to business reports. If you want a paper that is not only interesting but attractive to look at, you might consider adding a colorful border to your pages.

Start Microsoft Word and open either an existing Word document or open a new, blank one. Click "Format" on the toolbar and then click "Borders and Shading." The "Borders and Shading" dialog box will appear.

Click on the "Page Border" tab. Under "Setting," choose "Box," "Shadow," "3-D" or "Custom." If you want a border that frames your entire page, choose "Box." If you would like a border to only print on a portion of your page, choose "Custom" and then select or deselect the sides you want a border added to in the "Preview" section by clicking on the appropriate buttons.

Go to the "Apply To" drop down menu in the "Preview" section and choose whether you want your border applied to the whole document, the first page only, or other sections.

Add a decorative page border by going to the "Art" drop down menu. Choose the border you want to use by clicking on it. Preview how it will look on your page by looking at the "Preview" section. Choose a line style page border if you prefer by choosing an option from the "Style" menu.

Change the color of your page border by clicking on the "Color" drop down menu and choosing your desired color. Some art borders will not give you the option to change the color. You can also adjust the width of the border using the the "Width" menu. When you are finished, click "OK" to save your changes and close the "Borders and Shading" dialog box.