Article ID: 183962
Article Last Modified on 1/22/2007
APPLIES TO
- Microsoft Word 97 Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q183962
SYMPTOMS
When you select multiple, contiguous paragraphs within a Microsoft Word document and then apply a box border to that selection, Word will create multiple boxes around the paragraphs instead of around the entire selection of text.
CAUSE
One or more of the paragraphs has been formatted with either a left or right indent. This behavior is by design of Microsoft Word.
WORKAROUND
To place one box border around contiguous paragraphs that have different indentations, use one of the following methods.
Method 1: Use the Drawing Toolbar
To place one box border around contiguous paragraphs that have different indentations, follow these steps:
- On the View menu, point to Toolbars, and select Drawing to activate the Drawing toolbar. By default, it will appear at the bottom of your document screen.
- On the Drawing toolbar, click Rectangle and draw a box around the paragraphs where you desire a box border.
If the rectangle covers your text, do the following to adjust its settings:
- On the Drawing toolbar, click Draw, point to Order, and then select Send Behind Text.
- Adjust its size with the sizing handles.
- Change the line width by clicking the Line Style icon on the Drawing toolbar and selecting the point size of the line you want to use.
Method 2: Use a Table
To work around this problem by using a table, follow these steps:
- On the Table menu, click Insert table.
- Type 1 in the Number Of Columns in the Number Of Rows boxes, respectively. Click OK.
- Copy or type the desired text inside the table cell.
MORE INFORMATION
For additional information, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
177031 WD: Box Border Incorrect When Applied to Multiple Paragraphs
169532 WD97: Paragraph Borders Displayed Erratically with Objects
Keywords: kbhowto KB183962
