Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: Adding a Drop Shadow to a Text Box.
Text boxes are a graphic element you can use in your workbooks to hold information that is ancillary to the main data in the workbook. For instance, you might use a text box to create a sidebar or other text object. To enhance your layout design using text boxes, you can add a drop shadow so the text box appears to float about the actual printed page.
To add a drop shadow to a text box, follow these steps:
ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (9010) applies to Microsoft Excel 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Excel here: Adding a Drop Shadow to a Text Box.
Program Successfully in Excel! John Walkenbach's name is synonymous with excellence in deciphering complex technical topics. With this comprehensive guide, "Mr. Spreadsheet" shows how to maximize your Excel experience using professional spreadsheet application development tips from his own personal bookshelf. Check out Excel 2013 Power Programming with VBA today!
Want to search for text that may appear in a text box rather than in a regular worksheet cell? You can only perform the ...
Discover MoreAdding a text box to a worksheet is easy. Making sure that text box is the exact size of a cell in the worksheet may not ...
Discover MoreWant to get rid of your text boxes and move their text into the worksheet? It's going to take a macro-based approach, ...
Discover MoreFREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
2019-12-27 10:06:32
J. Woolley
@Mister Tumnus
Well, you can add border elements to a cell or range of cells. Select the cell or range, right-click and pick Format Cells..., then click the Border tab. You can simulate shadows by adding discrete borders after choosing a Style.
2019-12-26 13:09:34
Mister Tumnus
Oh...perhaps I misunderstood. By "text box", I was hoping for a cell that contains text. Sorry about that. I don't suppose there is a way to add shadows below a cell with text in it?
Impressive site by the way, lots of information, thank you.
2019-12-26 12:51:07
Allen
Did you complete step #1? As it says in step #2, the Format tab should be visible if you select a text box.
-Allen
2019-12-26 12:43:28
Your instructions fail at step #2. There is no format tab for me. File, Home, Insert, Page Layout, Formulas, Data, Review, View, Developer, Help.
Is it supposed to be under one of those?
Got a version of Excel that uses the ribbon interface (Excel 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Excel, visit our ExcelTips site focusing on the menu interface.
FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in ExcelTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."
Copyright © 2021 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.
Please Note:
This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Excel versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and Excel in Office 365. If you are using an earlier version (Excel 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Excel, click here: 
Comments