By default, Microsoft Word types text horizontally from left to right. However, if you are designing a flyer with tear-off phone numbers at the bottom, or creating a binder spine label, you need the text to read vertically from top to bottom.
You cannot change the text direction of standard paragraphs in the main body of a Word document. To rotate text, it must be contained inside an object—specifically, a Text Box or a Table.
Method 1: Using a Text Box (Best for Flyers and Labels)
A text box is a floating container that you can drag anywhere on the page, making it the perfect tool for rotated text.
- Go to the Insert tab on the ribbon menu.
- Click on Text Box and select Simple Text Box.
- Type your text into the box (e.g., “555-0199”).
- Click on the border of the text box so it is selected.
- Look at the ribbon menu at the top. A new tab called Shape Format will appear. Click on it.
- In the “Text” section, click the Text Direction button.
- A drop-down menu will appear. You can choose to rotate the text 90 degrees (reading top-to-bottom) or 270 degrees (reading bottom-to-top).
Once rotated, you can resize the text box to make it tall and skinny, and drag it anywhere you need on the page.
Method 2: Using a Table (Best for Complex Forms)
If you are building a complex data table and want the header row titles to read vertically so the columns can be narrower, you can change the text direction inside specific table cells.
- Insert your table (Insert > Table) and type your text into the cells.
- Use your mouse to highlight the specific cell (or entire row of cells) that you want to rotate.
- Look at the ribbon menu. Under “Table Tools”, click the Layout tab.
- In the “Alignment” group, click the Text Direction button.
Every time you click the Text Direction button, it will cycle the text 90 degrees. Click it once to read top-to-bottom, click it again to read bottom-to-top, and click it a third time to return to normal horizontal text.