How to Add a Bottom Border in Word (Paragraph, Table, and Page)

To add a bottom border in Word, place the cursor in the paragraph (or select the table cell), open Home → Borders → Borders and Shading, choose the bottom line under Preview, and click OK. You can also use the quick Bottom Border icon on the Borders menu for a single-line rule under text.

Key Takeaways

• Use Home → Borders → Bottom Border for a fast single line under a paragraph.

• Open Borders and Shading to set weight, color, and style on the bottom edge only.

• In tables, select cells and apply a bottom border to separate rows.

• WPS Writer uses the same Borders controls on the Home tab.

When to Use a Bottom Border in Word

A bottom border separates content below a line—useful for signatures, section breaks, invoice totals, and table row dividers. It is different from a full box border or a top border on the next paragraph.

Add a Bottom Border to a Paragraph (Microsoft Word)

Quick method

1. Click inside the paragraph (or select multiple paragraphs).

2. Go to Home → Paragraph group → Borders dropdown.

3. Choose Bottom Border.

Custom weight, color, and style

1. Select the paragraph.

2. Home → Borders → Borders and Shading.

3. Under Setting, click the diagram’s bottom edge (or choose a preset, then clear other sides).

4. Set Style, Color, and Width.

5. Confirm Apply to: Paragraph → OK.

Add a Bottom Border in WPS Writer

1. Select the paragraph in WPS Writer.

2. Open Home → Borders (same ribbon layout as Word).

3. Click Bottom Border for a default line, or Borders and Shading for custom options.

4. Pick line style and color, apply to the bottom edge only → OK.

WPS Writer saves as .docx, so bottom borders remain editable in Microsoft Word.

Bottom Border on Table Cells

1. Select the row or cells.

2. Table Design (or Table Tools) → Borders.

3. Choose Bottom Border, or open Borders and Shading and style only the bottom edge.

For a full grid, use All Borders first, then remove top/left/right on specific cells if you need only bottom lines.

Remove or Change a Bottom Border

Select the paragraph → Home → Borders → No Border to clear all borders, or reopen Borders and Shading and click the bottom edge again to toggle it off. If a line persists, check for border-bottom on a style (Home → Styles → Modify).

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WPS Office includes Writer with Word-compatible border and picture formatting—ideal when you need a free .docx editor on Windows, Mac, or mobile. Borders you apply in WPS open correctly in Microsoft Word.

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Need a line above text instead? See how to add a top border in Word. For images, use our picture border guide.

FAQs

How do I add only a bottom border in Word?

Select the paragraph → Home → Borders → Borders and Shading → click only the bottom edge in Preview → OK.

Why is my bottom border missing after paste?

Pasted text may use plain formatting. Reapply Borders and Shading, or use Paste Special → Keep Source Formatting.

Can I add a bottom border to one line in a table?

Yes—select that cell or row and apply Bottom Border from Table Design or Borders and Shading.

Bottom border vs. underline?

Underline follows text; a bottom border spans the full paragraph width (or cell width in tables).

Summary

How to add a bottom border in Word: use Home → Borders → Bottom Border for a quick rule, or Borders and Shading to control style, color, and width on the bottom edge only. The same steps work in WPS Writer for .docx files.