Google Docs

How to Add a Cute Border in Google Docs

Spencer LanoueSpencer Lanoue
Google Docs

If you're aiming to give your Google Docs a bit more personality, adding a cute border can be a fun and effective way to make your document stand out. Borders aren't just for decoration. They can help highlight important information or simply make your document look more polished. In this article, I'll walk you through various methods to add borders, using both built-in features and creative workarounds. We'll also look at how Spell can streamline your document editing process with some cool AI features.

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Why Add Borders to Your Document?

Before we dive into the how-to, let's talk about the why. Borders can serve multiple purposes in a document. They help to:

  • Draw attention: A border can highlight a section of text, making it stand out from the rest of the document.
  • Organize information: Borders can act as visual dividers, breaking up long sections of text.
  • Add creativity: A cute border can make your document more visually appealing, which is great for projects, invitations, or even resumes.

So, ready to add that extra flair to your document? Let's get started!

Using Table Borders for a Quick Fix

One of the easiest ways to add a border in Google Docs is to use a table. This method offers a lot of flexibility, allowing you to customize the thickness, color, and style of the border. Here's how you do it:

  1. Insert a Table: Go to Insert > Table and select a 1x1 table. This essentially creates a single-cell table that you can use as a border.
  2. Resize the Table: Click and drag the corners of the table until it surrounds the text you want to highlight. You can adjust the size to fit your needs.
  3. Customize the Border: Right-click on the table and select Table properties. From there, you can adjust the border color, thickness, and even add a dash or dotted style.

It's a simple method, but it works like a charm for quick fixes!

Using the Drawing Tool for Custom Borders

If you're looking for something a bit more creative, Google Docs' drawing tool allows you to design custom borders. While this method involves a few more steps, it offers endless possibilities for creativity.

  1. Open the Drawing Tool: Navigate to Insert > Drawing > + New. This will open a new window where you can draw your border.
  2. Create Your Border: Use the shape tools to create a rectangle, or get creative with lines and curves. You can change colors, add text, or even include images.
  3. Insert the Drawing: Once you're satisfied, click Save and Close. The drawing will appear in your document, and you can resize or move it as needed.

This method is perfect if you want a truly unique border that reflects your style.

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Adding Borders with Images

Another creative option is to use images as borders. This can be particularly effective if you're aiming for a themed document, like holiday invitations or special announcements.

  1. Find Your Image: Search for border images online, ensuring they are free for personal use. Websites like Pixabay or Unsplash are great resources.
  2. Insert the Image: Once you have your image, go to Insert > Image > Upload from computer to add it to your document.
  3. Adjust the Image: Click on the image to resize and position it around your text. You might need to adjust the text wrapping settings to get it just right.

Using images allows for a wide range of designs, from floral frames to geometric patterns.

Adding Borders with Google Drawings

Google Drawings is a separate tool that's perfect for creating detailed borders. The process is similar to the drawing tool in Docs, but you have more room and tools to work with.

  1. Open Google Drawings: Head over to Google Drawings at drawings.google.com.
  2. Create Your Design: Use the tools available to craft your border. You can play around with lines, shapes, and even add other images.
  3. Export and Insert: Once your design is complete, download it by going to File > Download > JPEG. Now, go back to your Google Doc and insert it using the image insertion method.

This method gives you complete control over your design, perfect for those who love to tinker with details.

Using Borders for Specific Sections

Sometimes, you don't need a border around the entire document. Just specific sections. You can achieve this by using tables or inserting smaller images as borders within the text.

  1. Create a New Section: If you're using a table, simply insert a new 1x1 table around the section you want to highlight.
  2. Customize the Border: Adjust the border properties as needed. You can even apply different styles to different sections for a dynamic look.
  3. Enhance with Images: If using images, follow the same steps as before but limit the image to the section you want to highlight.

This approach is great for reports or newsletters where certain sections need to stand out.

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Creating Borders with Text Boxes

Text boxes are another way to add borders to specific sections of your document. Here's how to do it:

  1. Insert a Drawing: Go to Insert > Drawing > + New.
  2. Add a Text Box: In the drawing window, select the text box tool and draw your box. Add your text inside and customize the border as you like.
  3. Save and Position: Click Save and Close to insert the text box into your document. You can resize and move it as needed.

Text boxes offer the flexibility to add both text and borders in one go, perfect for callouts or special notes.

Efficient Border Management with Spell

While these methods offer a variety of ways to add borders, managing them across multiple documents can be time-consuming. That's where Spell comes in. Our AI-powered document editor allows you to create, edit, and manage your documents far more efficiently than traditional methods. With Spell, you can:

  • Create documents faster: Generate high-quality drafts with the help of AI, saving you time on formatting and design.
  • Edit with ease: Make quick changes using natural language prompts, without the hassle of copy-pasting.
  • Collaborate in real-time: Work with your team seamlessly, sharing documents and editing together with AI assistance.

Imagine combining your creative border designs with the speed and efficiency of AI. Spell makes it possible!

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Using Tables for Page Borders

We've talked about using tables for section borders, but did you know you can also use them for page borders? Here's how:

  1. Insert a Large Table: Go to Insert > Table and select a 1x1 table.
  2. Resize to Fit the Page: Drag the corners of the table until it covers the entire page, acting as a border.
  3. Customize: Adjust the border properties to your liking. You can even add a background color for added flair.

This method is great for adding a consistent page border to your entire document.

Choosing the Right Style for Your Border

Finally, let's talk about style. The type of border you choose can say a lot about the document. Here are some considerations:

  • Professional Documents: Opt for simple, clean lines for a sleek, professional look.
  • Creative Projects: Don't be afraid to experiment with colors and patterns for a more artistic feel.
  • Themed Events: Match your border to the theme of the event for a cohesive design.

Whatever style you choose, make sure it complements the content of your document. After all, the best designs are those that enhance the message!

Final Thoughts

Adding a cute border to your Google Docs can transform a plain document into something eye-catching and unique. Whether you use tables, images, or custom drawings, each method offers its own set of possibilities. And if you're looking to speed up your document creation and editing process, Spell offers a seamless way to integrate AI into your workflow, making it easier than ever to produce high-quality, polished documents. Give it a try and see how much time you can save!

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer Lanoue

Spencer has been working in product and growth for the last 10 years. He's currently Head of Growth at Sugardoh. Before that he worked at Bump Boxes, Buffer, UserTesting, and a few other early-stage startups.

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