Microsoft Publisher 2007
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 which can be resized, moved, deleted, copied, and more, rather than working with the text itself for formatting or editing purposes.
Selecting Text Boxes
When selecting and working with text boxes, you must use the Select Objects tool.
Selecting a Single Text Box
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From the Objects toolbar, click SELECT OBJECTS
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Click in the text box
The text box is now selected and appears with white circles around the edges.
Selecting Multiple Text Boxes
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From the Objects toolbar, click SELECT OBJECTS
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Click in one of the text boxes
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Press and hold [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).
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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
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From the Format menu, select Text Box...
The Format Text Box dialog box appears.
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Select the Colors and Lines tab
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To fill the text box with color, under Fill , from the Color pull-down list, select a color
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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
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Click OK
Formatting Text Boxes: Wrapping Text
Text in a text box will wrap around objects layered on top of the text box.
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From the Format menu, select Text Box...
The Format Text Box dialog box appears.
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Select the Layout tab
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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
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OPTIONAL: From any additional options available to you, make the desired selections
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Click OK
Manipulating Text Boxes
Text boxes can be cut or copied to a new location, or manipulated in their current location. Many of the manipulations performed on text boxes will use the text box handles that appear when the object is selected. Text box handles can be used to manipulate a text box’s size, shape, and placement on the page.
Moving a Text Box: Mouse Option
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Hold the mouse over the edge of the text box until a four-sided arrow appears
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Click and drag the text box to the desired location
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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.
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From the View menu, select Toolbars » Measurement
The Measurement toolbar appears.
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To move the text box horizontally, in the Horizontal Position (x) box, use the nudge buttons to select the desired value
To move the text box vertically, in the Vertical Position (y) box, use the nudge buttons to select the desired value
Rotating a Text Box: Mouse Option
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Hold the mouse over the round rotation handle
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Click and drag the handle
The text box rotates as the mouse moves. -
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.
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From the View menu, select Toolbars » Measurement
The Measurement toolbar appears.
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To rotate the text box, in the Rotation text box
, use the nudge buttons to adjust the angle of rotation
Deleting a Text Box
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Right-click the text box you wish to delete » select Delete Object
OR
Select the text box you wish to delete » press [Delete]
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.
