Getting that perfect circle around text in Google Docs might not be something you thought you needed, but once you learn how, it opens up a world of formatting possibilities. Whether you're dressing up a document for a presentation or just trying to make something stand out, we're going to walk you through the steps in a way that's as easy as pie. Let's break it down, step by step.
How to Use Google Drawings for Circles
Google Docs itself doesn't have a direct feature to draw shapes around text. But don't worry, we've got a workaround using Google Drawings. Here's how you can do it:
- Open your Google Docs document.
- Go to Insert in the menu, hover over Drawing, and select + New.
- In the Google Drawings window that opens, click on the Shape icon in the toolbar.
- Choose Shapes and then select the circle shape (oval).
- Click and drag in the drawing area to create your circle.
- Now, double-click inside the circle to add text. Type in your desired text.
- Adjust the size of the circle by dragging its corners to fit your text neatly inside.
- Once happy with your design, click Save and Close to insert it into your document.
There you go! You've just drawn a circle around your text using Google Drawings. Easy, right? By the way, if you're looking for more efficient ways to handle document editing, Spell can make this process even faster with its AI-powered features.
Customizing Your Circle
Just drawing a circle might feel like a win. Let's take it up a notch by personalizing it. After all, a little customization can make your document look polished and professional.
Changing Colors
Once you have your circle in Google Drawings, you can change its color to better match your document's theme.
- Click on the circle to select it.
- In the toolbar, click the Paint Bucket icon to change the fill color.
- Select a color from the palette or click Custom to create your unique shade.
- For the circle's border, click on the Border color icon right next to the paint bucket and choose your preferred color.
These simple tweaks can make your circle pop and give your document a personalized touch. Remember, it's the little details that often make the biggest impact!

Adjusting Transparency
If you want your text to stand out even more, adjusting the transparency of your circle can be quite effective. Here's how you can do it:
- Select the circle.
- Click on the Fill color icon, then choose Custom.
- Use the transparency slider to the right to adjust how opaque or transparent your circle should be.
Adjusting transparency can help your text remain readable while still maintaining that creative flair. If you're someone who values efficiency, Spell can help you create these custom designs much more quickly by generating drafts and layouts in seconds.
Aligning Text within the Circle
Aligning text might seem like a minor detail. It can make a world of difference in the overall presentation. Here's how you can align your text perfectly within the circle:
- Double-click inside the circle to edit the text.
- Highlight your text, and then use the alignment tools in the toolbar to center it both horizontally and vertically.
- To further refine, adjust the spacing by clicking on Format followed by Line spacing to tweak it just right.
Text alignment adds a clean, professional touch to your document, making it much easier on the eyes. And yes, it's those little adjustments that add up to a big difference.
Resizing and Moving Your Circle
Once your circle is in place, you might find you need to adjust its size or position on the page. Here's how you can easily do that:
- Click on the circle to select it.
- To resize, drag any of the blue squares (handles) around the circle. Holding Shift ensures the circle stays perfectly round.
- To move the circle, click and drag it to your desired location within the document.
Resizing and repositioning your circle can help integrate it seamlessly into your document's layout. If you're juggling multiple edits, having a tool like Spell can be a game-changer, as it allows you to manage document layouts in a snap.
Layering Shapes for a Creative Touch
Why stop at one circle? Layering shapes can add depth and visual interest to your document. Here's how you can layer shapes in Google Drawings:
- Once in the Google Drawings window, create multiple shapes by following the same steps for creating a circle.
- Click on a shape to select it. Use the Arrange menu to bring a shape forward or backward.
- Experiment with different shapes and colors to see what works best for your document.
Layering shapes can transform a simple document into a creatively engaging one. It's all about experimenting and finding what best fits your style and the message you want to communicate.
Using Text Boxes for Precise Placement
Sometimes, the simplest way to ensure your text is exactly where you want it is to use a text box. Here's how you can add text boxes for precise text placement:
- In the Google Drawings window, click on the Text box icon in the toolbar.
- Click and drag to create the text box inside your circle.
- Type your text into the box and use the formatting tools to style it as needed.
- Move the text box by clicking and dragging it to fit perfectly within your circle.
Text boxes give you more control over text placement, ensuring everything looks just right. When you're pressed for time, Spell can speed up your workflow by smartly suggesting layouts and designs.


Printing and Sharing Your Document
After putting all that effort into your document, you might want to share it with others or print it out. Here's how you can do that seamlessly:
- To print, go to File and select Print. You can adjust your print settings here.
- To share, click the Share button in the top-right corner of your document.
- Enter the email addresses of those you want to share with, and set their access permissions (edit, comment, view).
Sharing and printing are the final touches to getting your document out there. And if you're looking for tools to make the whole process quicker, Spell provides a streamlined experience with its real-time collaboration features.
Final Thoughts
Drawing a circle around text in Google Docs might seem like a small feature. It adds a significant flair to your documents. From using Google Drawings to customizing your circle, these steps make it easy and fun. And when you want to speed up your document creation and editing, Spell can transform your workflow, turning tasks that used to take hours into minutes.