How to Add a Border in PowerPoint: A Complete Guide

Author:

Trish Dixon

Published:

September 3, 2024

Updated:

October 8, 2024

Adding borders in PowerPoint can enhance the visual appeal of your slides and help direct attention to specific elements. Borders can be used around text boxes, images, and other shapes, making your presentation look more organized and professional.

In this guide, we will walk you through several methods to add borders in PowerPoint, whether you’re looking to add them to a shape, a picture, or an entire slide. Let’s explore how to effectively create borders in PowerPoint to improve your presentation design.

Why Use Borders in PowerPoint?

Borders serve various purposes in a PowerPoint presentation. They can:

Highlight important content
Provide a polished, professional look
Separate different sections visually
Make text or images more readable

Adding borders is a simple yet effective design technique that can significantly improve the overall aesthetic of your presentation. Now, let’s look at how to add borders in PowerPoint.

How to Add a Border to a Shape in PowerPoint

One of the most common ways to add a border in PowerPoint is by applying it to a shape. Here’s a step-by-step process on how to do this:

Step 1: Insert a Shape

Open your PowerPoint presentation and go to the slide where you want to add a border.
Click on the Insert tab in the top menu.
Select Shapes from the dropdown menu.
Choose a shape like a rectangle or circle from the available options.
Click and drag on the slide to draw the shape.

Step 2: Format the Border

After drawing the shape, click on it to activate the Format menu.
In the Shape Format tab, look for the Shape Outline button.
Click on Shape Outline and select a color for your border.
To adjust the border thickness, go to Weight and choose a line thickness that suits your design.
You can also select Dashes to create a dashed border, giving it a unique look.

Step 3: Apply Border Effects

You can further customize the border by adding effects like shadows or glow:

In the Shape Format tab, go to Shape Effects.
Choose from options like Shadow, Glow, or Soft Edges to give your border a more dynamic appearance.

By following these steps, you can easily apply and customize borders around shapes in PowerPoint.

How to Add a Border to a Text Box in PowerPoint

Text boxes are widely used in PowerPoint presentations for titles, subtitles, and body text. Adding borders to text boxes helps in organizing the content and drawing attention to key information.

Step 1: Insert a Text Box

Go to the slide where you want to add a bordered text box.
Click on the Insert tab and select Text Box.
Click and drag to create the text box on your slide.
Enter the text inside the text box.

Step 2: Apply a Border to the Text Box

Click on the text box to activate the Format menu.
In the Shape Format tab, select Shape Outline.
Choose a color for the border.
Go to Weight to select the thickness of the border.
To add a special style, choose Dashes to apply a dashed or dotted border.

Here’s a quick table summarizing the key steps:

Action	Description
Insert Text Box	Go to the Insert tab and click Text Box.
Add Border	Use the Shape Outline option to choose color and weight.
Customize	Apply dashed or solid borders as needed.

How to Add a Border to an Image in PowerPoint

Borders can also be applied to images to help them stand out in a presentation. Here’s how to add a border to a picture in PowerPoint.

Step 1: Insert an Image

Go to the Insert tab.
Click on Pictures and select the image you want to add to your slide.

Step 2: Apply a Border to the Image

After inserting the image, click on it to activate the Picture Format tab.
Select the Picture Border option.
Choose a border color that complements the image.
Use the Weight option to adjust the border’s thickness.
You can also select Dashes to apply a dotted or dashed border to the image.

By applying these steps, your image will have a customized border that enhances the overall slide design.

How to Add a Border to an Entire Slide

To make your entire slide stand out, you can add a border around the slide itself. This is especially useful for title slides or summary slides.

Step 1: Insert a Rectangle

Go to the Insert tab and select Shapes.
Choose a rectangle from the Shapes menu.
Click and drag the rectangle to cover the entire slide, but leave a small margin around the edges.

Step 2: Remove the Fill Color

Click on the rectangle to activate the Shape Format tab.
Select Shape Fill and choose No Fill.

Step 3: Add a Border to the Slide

Click on Shape Outline and select a border color.
Adjust the thickness using the Weight option.
You can also add Dashes for a more stylized look.

Adding a border to the entire slide helps define its boundaries, giving it a cleaner and more professional appearance.

Advanced Border Customization Options in PowerPoint

Border Color Gradient

PowerPoint allows you to apply gradient colors to borders. This can be useful when you want a dynamic, modern look for your presentation. Here’s how to do it:

Select the shape, text box, or image.
Go to Shape Outline or Picture Border, then choose Gradient Line.
Adjust the gradient stops and direction to create a smooth transition between colors.

Adding a 3D Border Effect

To create a 3D border effect, follow these steps:

After selecting the object, go to Shape Effects in the Format tab.
Choose 3D Format and adjust the Bevel or Depth to give the border a three-dimensional look.
This effect works well for highlighting key sections of your slide.

Key Tips for Using Borders Effectively

Consistency: Make sure the border style is consistent throughout the presentation. Avoid using too many different styles.
Color Harmony: Ensure the border color matches or complements your PowerPoint theme.
Use Borders Sparingly: Adding borders to every element on your slide can make it look cluttered. Apply borders only where necessary.

Removing Borders in PowerPoint

If you’ve added a border but later decide it’s not needed, removing it is simple:

Select the shape, text box, or image with the border.
Go to Shape Outline or Picture Border.
Choose No Outline from the dropdown menu. The border will be removed instantly.

Final Thoughts

Adding borders in PowerPoint is a simple yet powerful way to improve the design of your presentations. Whether you’re adding borders to shapes, text boxes, images, or entire slides, the process is straightforward, and the customization options are plentiful. By following this guide, you’ll be able to create visually appealing presentations that leave a lasting impact.

FAQs

How do I add a border to a shape in PowerPoint?

To add a border to a shape in PowerPoint, first insert the shape by going to Insert > Shapes. Then, click the shape and go to the Shape Format tab. Select Shape Outline to choose a color and adjust the weight (thickness) of the border.

Can I add a border to a text box in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can add a border to a text box by clicking on the text box, going to the Shape Format tab, and selecting Shape Outline. From there, choose a border color and thickness, and you can also add a dashed or dotted style.

How can I add a border to an image in PowerPoint?

To add a border to an image, insert the image into your slide, click on it to activate the Picture Format tab, and then select Picture Border. Choose a color and adjust the thickness as needed.

How do I add a border to an entire slide in PowerPoint?

To add a border around an entire slide, insert a rectangle shape that covers the entire slide. Set the Shape Fill to ‘No Fill’ and then customize the Shape Outline to create your desired border.

Can I remove borders from shapes, text boxes, or images in PowerPoint?

Yes, you can remove borders by selecting the shape, text box, or image, and going to the Shape Outline or Picture Border menu. Choose ‘No Outline’ to remove the border.

What are some advanced customization options for borders in PowerPoint?

Advanced customization options include applying gradient colors to borders, creating dashed or dotted styles, and adding 3D effects using Shape Effects under the Format tab.

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