Microsoft Publisher 2003

Working with Text Boxes

When you are working with Publisher you will have the flexibility to define your text area. To determine the boundaries and placement of the text box, you will be using the Select Objects tool.

When you are working with the Select Objects tool, you will be working with the text box as an object. This object can be resized, moved, deleted, copied, and more.

Selecting Text Boxes
Formatting Text Boxes
Manipulating Text Boxes

Selecting Text Boxes

When selecting and working with text boxes, you must use the Select Objects tool.

Selecting a Single Text Box

From the Objects toolbar, click SELECT OBJECTS
Click in the text box
The text box is now selected and appears with white circles around the edges.

Selecting Multiple Text Boxes

From the Objects toolbar, click SELECT OBJECTS
Click in one of the text boxes
Hold down [Shift] + click additional text boxes

Selecting All Items on a Page

Select All will select all objects on a page, including graphical objects (e.g., drawings, clip art).

From the Edit menu, select Select All
OR
Press [Ctrl] + [A]
Now the selected elements can be moved, copied, or deleted as a group.
NOTE: If a story takes up more than one page, Select All will select only the portion that is on the current page.

Formatting Text Boxes

A text box is an object like any other object in Publisher. Text boxes can have a border, be filled with color, and can be layered with other objects. Additionally, unlike other objects, their content - the text - can wrap around other objects that the text box comes in contact with. Formatting options for text boxes are found in the Format Text Box dialog box.

Formatting Text Boxes: Adding Color

Select the text box
From the Format menu, select Text Box...
The Format Text Box dialog box appears.
Select the Colors and Lines tab
To fill the text box with color, under Fill , from the Color pull-down list, select a color
OPTIONAL: Using the Transparency slide bar, set the color transparency
To add a border to the text box, under Line , make the desired selections
- Color: select a color for the line
- Dashed: select a solid or dashed line
- Style: select from preset line weights or double lines
- Weight: specify a line weight value
- BorderArt: select from graphical borders
Click OK

Formatting Text Boxes: Wrapping Text

Text in a text box will wrap around objects layered on top of the text box.

Select the text box
From the Format menu, select Text Box...
The Format Text Box dialog box appears.
Select the Layout tab
Under Wrapping Style, select the style you want to use for your text
Depending on the selection you make in this section, you may have additional options under Wrap text and Distance from text.
- Wrap text: specify which side of an object wrapped text should appear on
- Distance from text: specify the amount of distance between text and the top, bottom, left or right side of an object
OPTIONAL: From any additional options available to you, make the desired selections
Click OK

Manipulating Text Boxes

Text box handles can be used to manipulate a text box’s size, shape, and placement on the page. Besides the functions listed here, text boxes bracketed by text box handles can also be cut or copied.

Moving a Text Box: Mouse Option

Select the text box
Hold the mouse over the edge of the text box until a four-sided arrow
Click and drag the text box to the desired location
When the text box is positioned correctly, release the mouse button

Moving a Text Box: Toolbar Option

Using the Measurement toolbar gives you more precise control than using the mouse to click and drag the text box.

Select the text box
From the View menu, select Toolbars » Measurement
The Measurement toolbar appears.
To move the text box horizontally, use the nudge buttons to adjust the x coordinate
To move the text box vertically, use the nudge buttons to adjust the y coordinate

Rotating a Text Box: Mouse Option

Select the text box
Hold the mouse over the round rotation handle
Click and drag the handle
When the text is positioned correctly, release the mouse button

Rotating a Text Box: Toolbar Option

Using the Measurement toolbar gives you more precise control than using the mouse to drag the rotational handle.

Select the text box
From the View menu, select Toolbars » Measurement
The Measurement toolbar appears.
To rotate the text box, use the nudge buttons to adjust the angle of rotation

Deleting a Text Box

Right-click the text box you wish to delete » select Delete Object
The selected text box is deleted.
NOTE: If the text box does not hold the entire story, you need to delete all the text boxes connected with the story or create a new box to connect.