How to Add Check Boxes to Word Documents

Adding check boxes to a Word document is a simple way to create interactive to-do lists, surveys, or forms. Whether you want printable checklists or clickable boxes users can tick off on their screens, Microsoft Word gives you both options. Here’s how to do it—step by step.

1. Decide: Printable or Clickable?

Before you start, decide if you want:

• Printable check boxes – basic boxes for users to tick by hand.
• Interactive check boxes – boxes that can be clicked and checked inside the Word document.

Each method has a different setup.

2. Add Printable Check Boxes

This is the easiest option. Great for forms people will print and fill out with a pen.

Steps:

1. Place your cursor where you want the check box.
2. Go to the Home tab.
3. In the Paragraph group, click the small drop-down arrow next to the Bullets icon.
4. Choose Define New Bullet.
5. Click Symbol.
6. In the Symbol box, choose a check box style (a square is common).
7. Click OK.

You now have a bullet list with check boxes.

3. Add Clickable (Interactive) Check Boxes

For digital forms and interactive documents, you’ll need to use Word’s Developer tab.

Steps:

1. Enable the Developer tab (if it’s not already visible):
   • Go to File > Options > Customize Ribbon.
   • On the right side, check the box for Developer.
   • Click OK.
2. Place your cursor where you want the check box.
3. On the Developer tab, click the Check Box Content Control (a small box with a check mark icon).

You’ll now see a clickable check box that users can check and uncheck inside the document.

4. Customize the Look

Want a cleaner look or a custom symbol? Click the Design Mode button in the Developer tab. You can tweak the appearance and behavior of your check boxes here.

5. Use Tables for Perfect Alignment (Optional)

If you’re creating forms or checklists with text beside each box, use a table to keep things aligned. Hide the borders afterward for a clean layout:

• Insert a table.
• Add check boxes in one column and your text in the next.
• Right-click the table > Table Properties > Borders and Shading > Set borders to None.

Final Tips

• Save your document as a .docx file to preserve interactivity.
• If sharing, let others know they’ll need to open it in Word (not a viewer or web version) for full functionality.
• Test your form to make sure it works as intended.

Wrapping Up

Check boxes are a simple but powerful feature in Word. Whether you’re building a task list, a printable form, or a professional survey, adding check boxes makes your document cleaner and more useful. Now you know how to do both—the easy way and the advanced way.

Need more Word tips? Stick around—we’ve got plenty more guides to help you make the most of Microsoft Office.