You may have an enclosed text box within the content in your MS Word document. By default, the text box moves with the content. If you do not want it to move with the content, you must lock the text box.
If you are sharing your document with others, you may not want them to change the content within the text box. Again, you can lock the text box.
Word allows you to lock the text box for the above cases. Thus, by locking the text box, you can:
- Prevent the text box from moving with the content.
- Protect the contents of the text box.
We will explain both methods stepwise. Let us start.
Method #1: Prevent the text box from moving with the content
Step #1: Open the Word document
Open the Word document that has at least one text box.
Note that if you add more lines/text to the top of the paragraph, the text box moves down with the text.
Step #2: Enable Drawing Tools
Click the bottom of the text box to select it.
Drawing Tools tab will be visible on the top menu bar.
Step #3: Lock the text box position
Click on the Format tab under Drawing Tools to change the ribbon.
In the section Arrange, click on the Wrap Text icon to open a drop-down menu.
In the drop-down menu, click on Move with Text to remove the tick mark next to it.
Note that now the tick mark appears against Fix Position on Page.
Now, the text box remains locked on the page and will not move with the text.
Method #2: Protect the contents of the text box.
Step #1: Open the Word document
Open the Word document that has at least one text box.
Step #2: Restrict editing
Click on the Review tab on the top menu bar to change the ribbon.
Under section Protect, click on the Restrict Editing icon to open the Restrict Editing drop-down menu.
In the Restrict Editing drop-down menu, click the checkbox under Editing Restrictions so that a tick mark appears in the box.
In the box under the checkbox, select No Changes (Read only).
Step #3: Select the exceptions
Now select the entire document with Ctrl+A.
Holding the Ctrl key down, click on the text boxes to unselect them.
In the Restrict Editing drop-down menu, under Exceptions (optional), click on the box beside Everyone. Ensure a check mark appears in the box.
Under Start enforcement, click on Yes, Start Enforcing Protection to open a dialog box.
Step #4: Enforce the Protection
In the Start Enforcing Protection dialog box, click to enable Password.
Enter a password of your choice in Enter new password (optional).
Repeat the password entry in Reenter password to confirm.
Note: if you do not enter a password, no one, including you, will be able to edit the text box ever again. The same will happen if you forget the password you have entered.
Click on Ok to change the Restrict Editing dialog box.
The editable text in the document will have a yellow highlight.
Step#5: Remove the highlight
In the Restrict Editing dialog, click on Highlight the regions I can edit to remove the tick mark in the box.
Exit the Restrict Editing dialog by clicking on the X button on the top right-hand corner.
Word will remove the yellow highlight in the document.
Now, anyone can edit the document. But to edit the text box contents, they will require a password.
Conclusion
Follow our instructions to lock a text box. You can prevent the text box from moving with the text. You can also disallow editing the text box contents.
Thank you! Lots of bad info on how to do this but your advice worked!