Text in Word can end up vertical for a few different reasons: a text box or shape has its text direction rotated, a table cell has vertical text, the box itself has been rotated, or a column is so narrow that each letter wraps onto its own line. The fix depends on which of these it is. This guide helps you identify the cause and turn the text horizontal again in Word for Windows, Mac, and the web.
Quick Answer
Click the text box, shape, or table cell with the vertical text. For a text box or shape, go to Shape Format > Text Direction > Horizontal. For a table cell, go to Table Layout > Text Direction and click until the text is horizontal. If the whole box is rotated, drag its rotation handle, or set Rotation to 0°.
Which Kind of Vertical Text Do You Have?
| What you see | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Letters turned sideways inside a text box or shape | Text direction set to 90° or 270° | Shape Format > Text Direction > Horizontal |
| Sideways text in a table cell | Cell text direction | Table Layout > Text Direction |
| The whole box, including its border, is tilted | Object rotation | Rotation handle or Rotation 0° |
| Upright letters stacked one per line | Column or box too narrow | Widen the box, cell, or column |
Fix a Text Box or Shape
- Click the border of the text box or shape.
- Go to the Shape Format tab (Drawing Tools Format in older versions).
- Click Text Direction and choose Horizontal.
If the box is now too narrow, drag its side handles to widen it.
Fix a Table Cell
- Click inside the cell. Select several cells to fix them together.
- Go to the Table Layout tab (next to Table Design).
- Click Text Direction repeatedly. It cycles through horizontal, rotated down, and rotated up. Stop when the text is horizontal.
You can also right-click the cell and choose Text Direction to pick the orientation from a dialog.
Fix a Rotated Box
- Select the object.
- Drag the circular rotation handle at the top until it’s level. Hold Shift to snap in 15° steps.
- For an exact fix, go to Shape Format > Rotate > More Rotation Options and set Rotation to 0°.
Fix Letters Stacked One Per Line
This happens when a column, cell, or box is only one character wide. Widen it by dragging its border, or in a table, choose Table Layout > AutoFit > AutoFit Contents. Also check that the paragraph has no large right indent (see the ruler).
Whole Document Vertical (East Asian Layouts)
If every page shows text running top to bottom, the document uses a vertical text layout, which is common for Japanese or Chinese. Go to Layout > Text Direction > Horizontal. The option appears when East Asian languages are enabled.
Word for Mac and the Web
- Mac: Shape Format > Text Direction for boxes, and Table Layout > Text Direction for cells.
- Web: Table text direction is available in Table Layout, but text box options are limited. Use the desktop app if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I make text vertical on purpose?
Use the same Text Direction menus and choose Rotate all text 90° or 270°. See our guide to making text vertical in Word.
Can I rotate normal paragraph text without a text box?
No. Word rotates text only inside text boxes, shapes, WordArt, and table cells.
Summary
- Identify whether the text box, table cell, or object is rotated, or the column is just too narrow.
- Use Shape Format > Text Direction > Horizontal for boxes.
- Use Table Layout > Text Direction for cells.
- Set Rotation to 0° for tilted objects, or widen narrow columns.
Kermit Matthews is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than a decade of experience writing technology guides. He has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Computer Science and has spent much of his professional career in IT management.
He specializes in writing content about iPhones, Android devices, Microsoft Office, and many other popular applications and devices.