Word has two independent containers for text (and other objects): Frames and Textboxes. Frames predate Word 97; Textboxes were introduced (I think) with Word 97. This page is for all versions of Word from Word 97-2019 (and probably later).
Like many of the pages on this site, this one arose out of my ignorance. In 2014 someone asked about the relative benefits of using these two Word features; acting out of hubris I gave my opinion (which was incomplete and potentially erroneous). Two Word MVP's graciously corrected me without calling me an idiot and I determined to revisit the subject with what I learned from them and from playing with the features. I used the books Microsoft Word 2010 In Depth by Faithe Wempen and Microsoft Word 2010 Bible by Herb Tyson as references. Not everything about Frames in Word 2010 in Depth was correct and I could find little reference to creating or using Frames in the Microsoft Word 2010 Bible.
Microsoft Word And Excel For Mac
Both Textboxes and Frames have evolved over time. To some extent those changes are noted in the chart below. This chart has bullet points rather than numbers because I do not know which features are important to you. To me, the most important advantages of Frames are (1) the ability of Frames to be part of a Style definition and (2) the ability of Frames to usefully hold certain fields that don't work in Textboxes. The most important advantages of Textboxes are (1) (beginning with Word 2010) Textboxes can be rotated with their text and (2) Textboxes can float in front of or behind text. For many users, the most important feature of Textboxes is that they can be linked. I have used Textboxes much more than I have Frames.
For many purposes, though, Frames are preferable to Textboxes because Frames are not in a separate layer from the rest of your document. Textboxes are in the graphics layer. That means that other features in Word can more easily see the contents in Frames. See the comparison below.
Nov 11, 2013 Insert the following (legacy) form fields into the document: On the right of the Patient Name and Surname a text form field. On the right of the Type of insurance a drop-down form.
Microsoft Word For Macbook
Comparison of Frames and Textboxes -- Change Text Orientation -- Save for Reuse
Legacy Forms Microsoft Word For Mac Pro
Let's start with a listing some of the attributes of each. As you can see, they share a number of attributes. I have used Italics to highlight differences where the attributes are different. The words 'Textbox' and 'Frame' are capitalized in this page.