Skip to main content
N
neils92191373
Participant
December 28, 2016
Answered

Border around text box in Illustrator

  • December 28, 2016
  • 3 replies
  • 106595 views

How do I add stroke (line width) and change color to text box frame? I am trying to add a border to the text box without having to add another rectangle behind the text box.

    Correct answer macpawel

    The easiest way is working with White Arrow (A) - Direct Selection Tool.

    Just Select ONLY rectangle (not text and rectangle) and add stroke (F10) or/and fill

    That's it

    Pawel

    3 replies

    E
    edgrimley
    Participating Frequently
    December 28, 2016

    With the Appearance panel open, use the Direct Selection tool to select just the text box path. That will give you fill and stroke options for the path only, independent of the text..

      J
      JamSos
      Participant
      October 7, 2019
      If you're having trouble selecting the text box with the white cursor it's best practice to click on the corners of the object to make sure you've selected the text box, not the text.
        macpawel
        macpawelCorrect answer
        Participating Frequently
        December 28, 2016

        The easiest way is working with White Arrow (A) - Direct Selection Tool.

        Just Select ONLY rectangle (not text and rectangle) and add stroke (F10) or/and fill

        That's it

        Pawel

          N
          neils92191373Author
          Participant
          December 28, 2016

          This got it. Thanks.

          Monika Gause
          Community Expert
          Monika GauseCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          December 28, 2016

          Area text or point text?

          N
          neils92191373Author
          Participant
          December 28, 2016

          I am using the Type tool (T)

          N
          newcat2013
          Participant
          March 22, 2018

          Neils,

           

          As I (mis)understand it, including your using plain Type (neither Type on a Path nor Area Type), also called point type, you may:

           

          1) Select the live Type with the Selection Tool and in the Appearance palette flyout click Add New Stroke;

          2) In the Stroke palette set the Stroke Weight and (kind of) Join as desired, and set the colour as desired (Color palette or Swatch or whatever);

          3) Effect>Convert to Shape>Rectangle, setting the Relative Extra Width/Extra Height as desired.

           

          This will give you the box as a live effect that adapts to the Type.

           

          You may switch the order of 2) and 3). It is important that (ony) the Stroke is selected (highlighted) in the Appearance palette until you are done.


          Thanks for this, Jacob! Found it incredibly helpful on my current templating project.

          Related question to this... do you know if it's possible to apply a minimum width to a live effect rectangle stroke/fill in Illustrator? My goal is that none of the text box outlines are narrower than 1".

          Thanks for any wisdom!

          Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
          Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices