4 Simple Ways to Rotate Text Direction & Position in Word

PDF download Download Article
An easy-to-follow guide on changing the direction of text in Microsoft Word
PDF download Download Article

Do you want to type vertically in word? You can create vertical text by creating a textbox and adjusting its settings to set the position. You can change the text's direction, rotate it, and mirror it. You could also change the document's orientation from portrait to landscape mode. This wikiHow will show you how to write vertically in word on your Windows or Mac computer.

Best Way to Get Vertical Text in Word

  1. Open a project in MS Word.
  2. Select "Insert" > "Text Box" > "Simple Text Box" to create a new text box.
  3. Click the middle circle on the right side of the box and drag it over to the left.
  4. Remove the text box lines by going to "Shape Format" > "Shape Outline" > "No Outline."
Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Rotating Text

PDF download Download Article
  1. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Windows and Mac . [1]
    • You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
  2. To do this, click the Insert tab in the top toolbar, then click the Text Box icon in the Text section. You can select Simple Text Box from the presets.
    Advertisement
  3. Input the text you want to edit. You can copy and paste from another program into Microsoft Word.
    • Make sure the textbox is still selected.
  4. You can find this at the top toolbar, next to Help . Alternatively, double-click the edge of the textbox to be quickly redirected.
  5. This will be in the Text section.
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  6. You can also select Rotate all text 270° if you want the top of the words to face the left side.
    • Your text will be rotated.
    • You can continue to edit your text in the textbox. The words will type in the direction set.
    7. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Making Text Vertical

PDF download Download Article
  1. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Windows and Mac.
    • You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
  2. To do this, click the Insert tab in the top toolbar, then click the Text Box icon in the Text section. You can select Simple Text Box from the presets.
  3. Input the text you want to edit. You can copy and paste from another program into Microsoft Word.
    • Make sure the textbox is still selected.
  4. With the textbox selected, you'll see four circles at each point of the text box and one circle between each corner. Use the middle circle on the left side.
    • As you drag the text box towards the left, it will become smaller. The text inside will adjust to fit the size of the box in vertical format.
    • Make sure not to drag past the point of the left line. This could result in the words returning to their normal positions.
  5. If you want to remove the lines around the text, double-click the textbox to return to the Shape Format tab.
    • Click Shape Outline , then select No Outline from the drop-down menu.
    • The textbox lines will be hidden. Be sure to save your document if you need to return to it later.
    6. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Mirroring Text

PDF download Download Article
  1. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Windows and Mac.
    • You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
  2. To do this, click the Insert tab in the top toolbar, then click the Text Box icon in the Text section. You can select Simple Text Box from the presets.
  3. Input the text you want to edit. You can copy and paste from another program into Microsoft Word.
    • Make sure the textbox is still selected.
  4. A drop-down menu will open.
  5. This will be at the very bottom of the menu.
    • A panel will open on the right side.
    • If you don't see this option, make sure the textbox is selected, not the text.
  6. This looks like a pentagon, next to the paint bucket icon.
  7. If you want your text to be mirrored left-right, enter 180 into the X Rotation field. If you want your text to be mirrored up-down, enter 180 into the Y Rotation field.
    • The changes will take effect immediately.
  8. If you want to remove the lines around the text, double-click the textbox to return to the Shape Format tab.
    • Click Shape Outline , then select No Outline from the drop-down menu.
    • The textbox lines will be hidden. You can print your document if needed.
    9. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Changing Paper Orientation

PDF download Download Article
  1. This looks like a W on top of a blue square. Microsoft Word is available to install for Windows and Mac.
    • You must have a subscription to use Office 365.
    • Use this method if you want to change your paper orientation from portrait to landscape.
  2. This will be in the top toolbar, between Design and References .
  3. You can find this at the top, next to Margins .
    • A drop-down menu will open.
  4. Your Microsoft Word document will change to landscape orientation.
    • If you change back to portrait mode after inputting text, the text will follow the portrait mode orientation. It will not save in its landscape position.
    5. Advertisement

Expert Q&A

Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Apply Conditional Formatting in Excel
      Create Custom Symbol Characters You Can Use in Word
      3 Easy Ways to Delete a Horizontal Line in a Word Document
      Easily Add Page Numbers to a Word Document on Any Platform
      How to
      Add Check Boxes to Word: 10 Simple Steps
      How to
      Remove a Blank Page in Word
      3 Simple Ways to Insert a Hyperlink in Microsoft Word
      How to
      Add Backgrounds in Microsoft Word: Watermarks, Images, & Colors
      How to
      Print Avery Labels in Microsoft Word on PC or Mac
      How to
      Create and Edit the Table of Contents in Word
      How to
      Remove the 'Read Only' Status on MS Word Documents
      How to
      Print on an Envelope Using Microsoft Word
      How to
      Add a Horizontal Line in Microsoft Word
      Easily Format Word Docs from Scratch or Using Templates
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/rotate-text-in-word-66d0ea6d-a26d-40bf-8b3c-3ff8a9f60dc9

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      1. Click Insert .
      2. Click Text .
      3. Click Text Box .
      4. Click Draw Text Box .
      5. Click and drag a text box.
      6. Type text into the box.
      7. Hover the mouse over the box outline.
      8. Click the rotation icon and drag in any direction.

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,422,376 times.

      Is this article up to date?

      Advertisement