When it comes to preparing documents, it is important that you make them look meticulous. One such way to achieve that is to insert a text box in Google Docs. It comes in handy, particularly when you need to highlight certain parts or when you require inputs from your colleagues while sharing a document. In this article, we will tell you how to insert a text box in Google Docs. It is quite simple, so you will have that document ready in no time!


WHAT IS A TEXT BOX IN GOOGLE DOCS?

A text box is a section on a page that allows you to enter text or images inside of them and then move them around within the document. It helps you to organize and differentiate a set of text on a page. They can also make your document look more formal and professional.

how to insert a textbox in Google Docs
How to Insert a Text Box in Google Docs

There are two simple ways to insert a text box in Google Docs. Both of them allow you to add text within a document that is set apart from the other text. But their formatting and layout capabilities can be quite distinct from one another. Let us take a look at each of these methods on how to insert a text box in Google Docs.


HOW TO INSERT A TEXT BOX IN A DRAWING IN GOOGLE DOCS

If you want easy manipulation and control over text appearance, then using the Drawing tool is the best way to insert a text box in Google Docs. It’s a simple process and only requires you to insert a drawing from your Google Drive in your document, so that you can place the text within the drawing.

This method offers you the option of adding various shapes. You can also create, edit and format the shapes of the text box in your document. Using the drawing tool, the following steps will tell you how to insert a text box in a drawing in Google Docs:

how to insert a text box in a drawing in Google Docs
How to Insert a Text Box in a Drawing in Google Docs
  1. Open your document in Google Docs.
  2. Click on Insert at the top left menu bar.
  3. Select Drawing on the drop down menu and then click on New to create a text box.
  4. Click on the Text box icon. It can be identified by the letter “T” inside a square box.
  5. Create the text box by clicking and dragging in the drawing area, and then releasing the mouse when the required size is reached.
  6. You can now add text in the text box and customize it to your liking by adjusting the font, style, and format of the text with the options at the top of the drawing area.
  7. When you’re finished typing, click on the Save & Close button.

HOW TO INSERT A TEXT BOX IN GOOGLE DOCS – DRAWING TOOL #2

Alternatively, you can also use Shapes to insert a text box in Google Docs. With this function, you can adjust both the text box and the text inside it with different shapes and colours. (Source: Google)

How to Insert a Text box in Google Docs: Drawing Tool
How to Insert a Text box in Google Docs: Drawing Tool
  1. Click on Insert on the menu bar.
  2. Select Drawing on the drop down menu and then click on New. 
  3. Click on Shapes on the toolbar. 
  4. A drop down menu will appear with various shapes – Shapes, Lines, Arrows, Callouts and Equation Symbols. Select the desired shape that you want to use.
  5. Click and drag your mouse in the drawing area according to the size you want your shape to be, and then release the mouse. 
  6. Double-click anywhere within the shape and then enter your required text.
  7. Once you’re done, click on Save & Close to insert it into the document. 
  8. You can also resize the shape by clicking and dragging the resizing handle to the size you want.
  9. To edit the shape, select it and then click Edit from the options that appear. You can customize the shape by clicking the desired formatting command like color, adding an image, adding lines and more.
  10. You can also delete a shape, by pressing the Delete or Backspace key on your keyboard.

HOW TO INSERT A TEXT IN A TABLE IN GOOGLE DOCS – SINGLE CELL TABLE ON ANDROID AND iOS

You can also insert a text in a table in Google Docs through a single cell table, with one column and one row. Google Docs offers the ability to edit the contents of a table on any device. The default table size features three columns and three rows but you may choose to reduce a table to one column and one row, where you can add the text.

If you are working through the Google app on your phone (Android or iOS), the following steps will tell you how to insert a text in a table in Google Docs:

Source: Tech Republic
  1. Open your document in Google Docs.
  2. Tap on the “+” button at the top of the page.
  3. A menu will appear. Select Table.
  4. For the Columns, reduce the number of columns to 1.
  5. For the Rows, reduce the number of rows to 1.
  6. Tap on Insert Table.
  7. A one-cell table will appear in your document where you can enter the required text.
  8. If you want to edit the text, you can select it and then tap the format icon at the top of the screen. You can adjust the text according to your preference.

In case you are working on desktop Google Chrome, you can go through the steps below to learn how to insert a text in a table in Google Docs:

how to insert a text in a table in Google Docs
How to Insert a Text in a Table in Google Docs
  1. Open your document in Google Docs.
  2. Select the place where you want to insert a text box in Google Docs and place the cursor there.
  3. Click on Insert.
  4. Select Table from the drop down menu.
  5. Select the first square that is at the top left corner. This is a single 1×1 cell.
  6. A text box will now appear. You can add your required text in this cell.
  7. For editing the text, you can select it and then adjust the format like you do with the other text normally – with font controls in the menu bar or with Format > Text Options.
  8. For the table cell, you can adjust the width and height by selecting a side of the table and dragging it. 

HOW TO INSERT AN IMAGE IN A TEXT BOX IN GOOGLE DOCS – ADDING IMAGES

Other than texts, you can also insert an image in a text box. Customizing your text box by adding an image can make your document look more detailed and interesting. If you want, you can even overlay the image with text.

how to insert an image in a text box in Google Docs
How to Insert an Image in a Text Box in Google Docs

To insert an image into your text box, you can:

  1. Click on the text box and then click on Edit.
  2. Click on the Image icon on the drawing menu.
  3. You can insert an image through any of the options given there. Click Select to choose the image.
  4. To layer text on top of the image or shape, you can click on the Text box icon and type in it. Then click on Save and Close.
  5. To modify the size or the position of the image or how document text flows around the drawing, you can click on the image again and select Image Options. You can then adjust the image accordingly. (Source: Online Tech Tips)

CONCLUSION

A text box can come in a variety of shapes that can be easily customized as per your needs. For example, you can create a diagram using shapes and add text to each shape to better display your point. 

It may not be that common to add a text box in Google Docs, but it does have plenty of uses when you wish to make your work more elaborate.