Adding borders to your Google Docs documents can help make them look more polished and professional. While Google Docs doesn’t have a built-in border tool, there are a few easy workarounds you can use to add borders of different widths, colors, and styles.
Table of Contents
Methods for Adding Borders
Here are some of the main methods for adding borders in Google Docs:
Use Tables
One of the easiest ways to add a border is by inserting a one-cell table:
- Click Insert > Table and select the 1×1 table option to insert a single-cell table.
- With the table selected, open the Table properties panel from the toolbar at the top.
- Under Borders, adjust the border width, style, and color for each side of the table.
- Enter your document text inside the table cell and it will have a border around it.
Pro Tip: Reduce the page margins under File > Page setup so the border runs to the edge of the page.
Draw a Text Box
You can also draw a rectangle text box and add borders to it:
- Click Insert > Drawing > + New to open the drawing editor.
- Select the rectangle shape and draw a box on the page.
- With the box selected, open the Text box properties panel from the toolbar at the top.
- Under Borders, adjust the border width, style, and color for each side.
- Click Save and close then insert your text inside the box.
Use Page Borders for Paragraphs
To add borders around specific paragraphs rather than the whole page:
- Select the paragraph you want to border.
- Open the Paragraph styles sidebar.
- Expand Borders & shading and customize the border appearance.
- Click Apply to add the border.
Border Configuration Tips
Here are some tips for configuring your page and paragraph borders:
Set Border Placement
The border placement determines whether the border is displayed within the text area or outside of it. Place borders:
- Within text to avoid changing text positioning
- Outside text to extend borders to page edges
Align Borders on Facing Pages
For documents with facing pages, like books, make sure to align the borders by using identical margin and border settings on left and right pages.
Be Consistent
Use the same border width and style throughout a document for a consistent, professional look. Avoid using many different border styles unless intentionally highlighting differences.
Emphasize Key Elements
Use borders to draw attention to key paragraphs, images, tables, headings, and other important document elements.
Avoid Clutter
While borders can help emphasize important content, overusing them can make documents look cluttered. Use them sparingly to maintain readability.
Print Considerations
Thicker page borders may get cut off on printed documents depending on your printer. Do a test print to make sure borders appear as expected.
Adding Borders to Other Elements
In addition to pages and paragraphs, you can also add borders around other document elements:
Tables
Add colored borders to tables cells and rows under Table properties > Borders. Use borders to distinguish header and data rows.
Images
Insert images into drawings to add borders. You can also add a color border in the image Properties panel.
Text Boxes
Draw rectangles and text boxes to contain images and call-outs with borders. Adjust border appearance in drawing Properties.
Columns
Insert Section breaks between columns then use Paragraph borders to add vertical column dividers.
Formatting Borders
When adding borders, you have full control over formatting options:
- Width – Set border thickness from 0.5 to 12 points
- Style – Choose solid, dotted, dashed, double lines, and more
- Color – Select border colors or make transparent
- Padding – Set spacing between border and text inside
Combine these options to create different looks and emphasize varying levels of importance.
Troubleshooting Borders
Here are some common border issues and fixes:
Borders Not Visible
- Check border width is not set to 0 points
- Verify borders are set to display on outside of text
Borders Cut Off
- Increase page margins if border runs off the page
- Print document borders separately if clipped
Facing Pages Not Aligned
- Use identical margins, placement, and border settings
Too Many Border Styles
- Limit use of different styles for a consistent look
Text Obscured by Border
- Increase paragraph padding inside borders
Conclusion
Adding page borders and other borders in Google Docs is simple once you know some workarounds for its lack of a built-in tool. Follow the methods outlined above to start adding customizable borders that make your documents look clean and professional.
Properly configured borders can draw attention to important content while excessive borders can overwhelm. Use these best practices to help optimize borders for your documents.
With the formatting options available, you can achieve practically any border style you want. So get creative and see how borders can enhance your Google Docs documents!
