You should change the text orientation when creating the side columns of a newsletter, or when you want to create vertical columns at the bottom of a "for sale" brochure, or to make the column headings in a table easier to read. Here's how to change the alignment of text in Microsoft Word, both old and new.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Creating Words Vertically
Step 1. Use this method to convert horizontal letters to vertical ones
This will create text with letters that are read from above or earlier. If you want to rotate letters so that you have to tilt your head to read them, read how to rotate letters.
Step 2. Insert a text box
The text box will make it easier for you to adjust the position and orientation of the text. Add a text box to a Word document in the following ways:
- Word 2007 or later: On the Ribbon menu above the document, click the Insert tab, then Text Box, then Draw Text Box. Click and drag to the document.
- Word for Mac 2011 or later: Select Home on the Ribbon menu, then click Text Box on the right. Click and drag to the document.
- Word 2003/Word for Mac 2008 or earlier: Choose Insert → Text Box from the top menu. Click and drag to the document.
Step 3. Write the body of the text
Click the text box and type the text you want to make vertical. If the text is already in the document, copy and paste the text into the text box.
Step 4. Click the text box
A rectangular outline will appear around the text. Each corner of the box has a circle that acts as a "handle" for resizing the box.
Step 5. Drag the corners of the box
Click and hold the corners of the text box, then move the cursor. Drag the corners of the box until the text box is tall and narrow. If the box size is too narrow to display two letters side by side, the letters will move on top of each other.
If the box rotates, or the box moves but doesn't change its shape, you didn't click properly. Repeat and make sure you click the corner of the box
Method 2 of 3: Rotating a Text Box (Word 2007 or later)
Step 1. See which version of Word you are using
This method applies to Word 2007 or later on Windows, and Word 2011 or later on Mac. If you don't know your version, try to see if there is a Ribbon menu icon above the currently open document. If so, follow these instructions. If not, see the next method.
If you only see the tabs that say Home, Layout, etc., click on one of them to expand the Ribbon menu
Step 2. Insert a text box
Click the Text Box button on the Ribbon menu. It's under the Insert or Home tab, depending on your version of Word.
Step 3. Write in the text box
Click on the text box, then write the text you want to play. Clicking the text box will make a border appear.
Step 4. Click the circle above the text box
Look for a line that extends above the box's border, ending in a circle. Click and hold this circle.
Step 5. Drag to rotate the box
Move the cursor while holding the circle to rotate the square.
Once rotated, the box may return to its normal orientation when you click the box to edit the text. This is just to make it easier for you to type text. The orientation will return once you click out of the box
Step 6. Hold down the Shift key to constrain the rotating position of the box
Hold down the Shift key while rotating to limit the rotating position. This method makes it easier for you to rotate by a 45º or 30º angle, or to create parallel text boxes.
Step 7. Use the menu options
If you're having trouble getting the look you want, try rotating the text box using the menu commands:
- Double-click the text box to open the Ribbon Format menu, or select the Format tab.
- Click Text Direction in the Ribbon menu. In many versions of Word, this is a small, unlabeled button with a vertical text image.
- Select an option from the drop-down menu.
Method 3 of 3: Rotating Text (Word 2003 or earlier)
Step 1. See which version of Word you are using
This method applies to Word 2003 for Windows, Word 2008 for Mac, and all earlier versions.
Step 2. Insert a text box
Click Insert on the toolbar, then select Text Box from the drop-down menu. Click the box and enter text.
Step 3. Move and resize the text box if necessary
Click and drag on the outline of the box to move it; click and drag on the blue circles and squares to resize.
Step 4. Click inside the text box
This step allows you to format the separate boxes of the entire document.
Step 5. Click Format on the toolbar and select Text Direction from the drop-down menu
A dialog box will appear containing the option to change the text orientation.
This older version features inconsistent text rotation. If this doesn't work or you don't see the rotate font option in Word, continue to the next step
Step 6. Insert WordArt
Click Insert → Picture → WordArt in the top menu. Enter text and choose the font style you like.
The text cannot be edited because it will be converted to an image
Step 7. Rotate the WordArt object
Click the newly created image. A border will appear. Look at the small line leading to the circle at the top of the top side of the border. Click and drag this circle to rotate the object.
