Office Settings & Configuration

How to Find the Design Tab and Add a Page Border in Word for Android

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user is trying to locate the Design tab to insert a page border in the Microsoft Word app on an Android device.

Product: Microsoft Word for Android
Device & OS: Android
Scenario: Formatting a document and attempting to add a border around the page while working from a mobile device.
Observed behavior: The Design tab and the native Page Borders feature are missing because the Android app uses a simplified interface.

Before you start

Ensure your Android device has the latest version of Microsoft Word installed and switch your document to Print Layout view so you can accurately see the page margins.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the Shapes Tool as a Workaround

Since the dedicated Page Borders button is missing on mobile, you can simulate a page border by drawing a transparent rectangle over your document.

The Android version of Microsoft Word is built with a simplified mobile interface. As a result, advanced desktop tools like the Design tab and the native Page Borders feature are not included. However, you can achieve the exact same visual effect by using the Shapes tool.

Access the Insert Menu

Tap the 'Edit' icon (the pencil) to enter editing mode, expand the bottom menu ribbon, and switch from the 'Home' tab to the 'Insert' tab.

Insert a Rectangle Shape

Tap on 'Shapes' and select the basic Rectangle shape from the list.

Resize the Shape

Drag the corners of the rectangle so that it covers the entire page, aligning it with your document's margins.

Make the Shape Transparent

With the shape selected, go to the shape formatting options, tap on 'Fill', and select 'No Fill' so your text remains visible.

Adjust the Border Style

Tap on the 'Outline' or 'Line' option to change the border's color, thickness, and style to match your formatting needs.

Single Page Limitation: This workaround works best for single-page documents, title pages, or resumes. If you add text that pushes onto a new page, the shape will not automatically duplicate onto the next page.

Solution 2

Apply Native Page Borders Using Desktop Word

For long documents requiring automatic borders on every page, applying the border using the desktop version of Word is the most efficient method.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the Design tab missing in the Word mobile app?

The mobile version of Microsoft Word uses a streamlined, simplified interface designed to run smoothly on small screens. Because of this, some advanced desktop menus like the Design tab are omitted.

Will a shape border print correctly from my Android phone?

Yes. As long as the rectangle shape is set to 'No Fill' and stays within the printable margins of the page, it will print exactly like a native page border.

Can I automatically apply the shape border to all pages on mobile?

No. The Android app does not support inserting shapes into headers or footers to repeat them across pages. You will need to manually copy and paste the shape onto each page, or use the desktop version for native repeating borders.

Do document shapes and borders look the same when I open them in WPS Office?

Yes. WPS Office offers excellent compatibility with Microsoft Word formats. Any shapes or borders applied in Word will display correctly when opened in WPS Office, and vice versa.

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