2 Quick Ways to Rotate or Adjust Text in Microsoft Word

Download Article

Flip or move text in Microsoft Word using your computer or mobile device

Co-authored by Rain Kengly

Last Updated: November 9, 2024 Fact Checked

Download Article

Using a Computer

|

Using Mobile

|

Video

|

Q&A

|

Tips

Do you want to adjust the text positioning in Microsoft Word? If your text is in a text box, you can easily adjust the text rotation with a few simple clicks. You'll be able to rotate by 90 degrees, 270 degrees, or another specific position. This wikiHow will show you how to turn and rotate text in Microsoft Word using your Windows or Mac computer, and iPhone, iPad, or Android.

How to Rotate Text in Word

Create a text box with your text. Click "Shape Format" → "Text Direction" → "Rotate all text 90°".
To manually adjust the position, click the text box. Click and hold the curved arrow icon and drag it clockwise or counter-clockwise.
On mobile, create a text box and tap it. Tap and hold the curved arrow icon to drag it to a new position.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Computer

Download Article

1
Open a document in Microsoft Word. You can use this method to rotate text in Microsoft Word on any Windows PC or Mac.^{[1]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- You must have a subscription to Office 365 to use the latest version of Microsoft Word.
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
Insert your text. Input the text you want to edit. You can copy and paste from another program into Microsoft Word.
- Make sure the text box is still selected, otherwise, your text may end up outside of it.
You can find this at the top toolbar, next to Help. Alternatively, double-click the edge of the text box to be quickly redirected.
5
Click Text Direction. This will be in the Text section.
- A drop-down menu will open.
6
Select Rotate all text 90°. 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 text box. The words will type in the direction set.
- Be sure to save your document if you need to return to it later.
7
Manually rotate the text (optional). If you want to adjust the text to a specific angle, you can manually rotate the text. Do the following:^{[2]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}

1
- Click the text box. Icons should appear around it.
- Click and hold the curved arrow icon.
- Drag your mouse clockwise or counter-clockwise to adjust the position.
- Release the mouse to save the position.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Using Mobile

Download Article

1
Open a document in the Microsoft Word app. This looks like a blue notebook next to a W.
- Microsoft Word is available for iOS in the App Store and for Android in the Google Play Store.
- Tap Blank document to open a new document or tap a file to open an existing document.
2
Create a text box. To do this, tap the Edit icon at the top. On iPhone/iPad, this button looks like a white "A" and a pencil icon on the blue toolbar. On Android, you may find the same icon or just a white pencil.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

Microsoft Support
Technical support and product information from Microsoft.

Go to source}
- Tap Home and select Insert.
- Tap Text Box.
- Enter the text in the text box.
This will open the formatting menu. If you aren't already on the Shape tab, tap Home and then Shape.
You can find this below WordArt Styles.
This will be underneath Align Text.
6
Tap Rotate all text 90°. 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 text box. The words will type in the direction set.
7
Manually rotate the text (optional). If you want to adjust the text to a specific angle, you can manually rotate the text. Do the following:
- Tap the text box. Icons should appear around it.
- Tap and hold the curved arrow icon.
- Drag your finger clockwise or counter-clockwise to adjust the position.
- Release your finger to save the position.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

What should I do if I've followed these suggestions and still cannot rotate text?

Community Answer

Follow the directions above. When you get the picture format, copy it and then click on the "undo" arrow until you get where you want to place your text. Insert a new text box, and inside it do a right click "paste" and flip or position your text how ever you wish.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 25 Helpful 16
Question

I managed to rotate the text, but could not eliminate the box without eliminating the text inside it.

Community Answer

You can't delete the box without also deleting its contents. All you can do it remove the outline so the box is not visible. Move the cursor inside the box, then right-click, click "Outline," and select "No Outline."

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 13 Helpful 7
Question

How do I rotate text that is not in a text box?

Community Answer

In Microsoft Word, there is no direct way to do this, which is why you'll have to use this workaround.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 6 Helpful 2