Add color or a border to a text box

Add a background color or border to a text box or shape

You can add color behind text in a shape or text box. You can also add a border or line at the top, bottom, or around paragraphs.

Paragraph with a dotted line border.

Tip: You can’t control the opacity of a background color. If you need to be able to control the transparency of a background, use a shape. You can customize the fill of a shape however you like.

Add a background color

  1. Select the text you want to add a background color to, or select the shape or text box.

  2. In the Text pane of the Format inspector, click the Layout button.

  3. Click the disclosure triangle next to Borders & Rules.

  4. Choose a color in the Background Color section.

    • To see colors that go with your template: Click the color well on the left.

    • To see all colors: Click the color wheel, then choose a color in the Colors window.

Tip: If you don’t want the color to extend from margin to margin, you can add color behind selected text.

Add a border or rule to text

  1. Select the text you want to add a background color to, or select the shape or text box.

  2. In the Text pane of the Format inspector, click the Layout button.

  3. Click the disclosure triangle next to Borders & Rules.

  4. Choose a line type from the pop-up menu, then click the arrows in the top value field to adjust the thickness of the line.

    Controls to change the line style, thickness, position, and color.

  5. Choose a color from the color well or the color wheel next to the line style pop-up menu.

    • To see colors that go with your template: Click the color well on the left.

    • To see all colors: Click the color wheel, then choose a color in the Colors window.

  6. Click a Position button to set where the line appears.

  7. Click the arrows for the Offset field to adjust the spacing between the line and the text it surrounds.

To remove a line, select the paragraph, then choose None from the line type pop-up menu.