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Border around text box in Illustrator

Community Beginner ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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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.

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correct answers 1 Correct answer

Advocate , Dec 28, 2016 Dec 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

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Community Expert ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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Area text or point text?

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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I am using the Type tool (T)

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Community Expert ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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And what kind of text object is it?

You might want to have a look at the documentation: How to create text in Illustrator

In order to answer the question. It's crucial because the proceeding is different.

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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I am trying to add borders to the labels to a line art drawing. The amount of text causes the blocks change size.  I can place the text as desired but want a simple box around the text that will adjust as the text block changes size. I also want to be able to change color of the border to identify different parts of the drawing.

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Community Expert ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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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.

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New Here ,
Mar 22, 2018 Mar 22, 2018

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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!

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Community Expert ,
Mar 22, 2018 Mar 22, 2018

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You are welcome, newcat.

I believe it may be worth asking for a script in the scripting forum, unless Carlos or Theunis happen(s) to see this.

Illustrator Scripting

Carlos, Theunis?

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Community Beginner ,
Jul 31, 2019 Jul 31, 2019

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Thanks for the tip; very helpful. To take it a step further, I'd like the container to adjust with the length of the text within. Possible?

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Community Expert ,
Jul 31, 2019 Jul 31, 2019

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See post #5 for instructions.

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Community Beginner ,
Jul 31, 2019 Jul 31, 2019

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I followed the steps and set width/height to relative. Container still doesn't adjust to fit. Could be an issue with my AI install...

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Community Expert ,
Jul 31, 2019 Jul 31, 2019

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Use point type, not area type.

Peter

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New Here ,
Oct 03, 2023 Oct 03, 2023

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LATEST

I know it's been 7 years since you posted this, but you saved me. That's exactly what I was looking for ahhahaha.

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Advocate ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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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

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Community Beginner ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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This got it. Thanks.

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Explorer ,
Nov 07, 2021 Nov 07, 2021

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Wow, I wish I'd asked how to stroke a bounding box about 20 years ago. I'm using AI Cs6 and F10 strokes the bounding box but when only the bounding box is selected the top toolbar changes -- no stroke or fill. I chose a color from the vertical toolbar but is there a way to choose a stroke width?

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Explorer ,
Nov 07, 2021 Nov 07, 2021

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Oops, I scrolled down a way and found the solution: go to Window, open the Appearance panel! (Well-duh)

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Enthusiast ,
Dec 28, 2016 Dec 28, 2016

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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..

MaxthonSnap20161228083941.pngMaxthonSnap20161228084017.png

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Community Beginner ,
Oct 06, 2019 Oct 06, 2019

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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.

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New Here ,
Dec 10, 2021 Dec 10, 2021

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Is there any way to make the text actually vertically centered. i.e. remove the "descender" part of the bounding box?

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Community Expert ,
Dec 10, 2021 Dec 10, 2021

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You can change the baseline and align

Screenshot 2021-12-10 at 18.13.16.png

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