To rotate text in Word for Microsoft 365, put the text in a text box: click Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box, draw the box, and type. Then select the box, go to the Shape Format tab, click Text Direction, and choose Rotate all text 90° or Rotate all text 270°. For any other angle, drag the circular rotation handle at the top of the text box. Regular body text can’t be rotated on its own.
Here’s how to rotate text in text boxes, tables, and WordArt, and how to set an exact angle.
Method 1: Rotate text in a text box with Text Direction
- Click Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box, then drag to draw a box.
- Type your text.
- Select the text box, then click the Shape Format tab.
- Click Text Direction.
- Choose Rotate all text 90° (reads top to bottom) or Rotate all text 270° (reads bottom to top).
Resize the text box so the rotated text fits. Drag the side handles to make it tall and narrow.
To write vertically with letters stacked one above the other (instead of turned sideways), make the text box narrow enough for one letter per line, or press Enter after each letter. These steps are the same in Word 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021.
Method 2: Rotate to any angle
- Drag: Select the text box and drag the circular arrow at the top. Hold Shift to rotate in 15° steps.
- Exact angle: Select the text box, click Shape Format > Rotate > More Rotation Options, and type a number in Rotation, like 45°.
- Flip: Use Rotate > Flip Vertical or Flip Horizontal.
Method 3: Rotate text in a table cell
- Click in the table cell.
- Click the Layout tab next to Table Design.
- Click Text Direction until the text points the way you want. Each click rotates it.
This is handy for narrow column headers.
Method 4: Use WordArt
Click Insert > WordArt, pick a style, and type. WordArt sits in a text box, so you can rotate it the same way. For curved text, use Shape Format > Text Effects > Transform.
Remove the text box border
Rotated text often looks better without a box around it. Select the text box, click Shape Format > Shape Outline, and choose No Outline. Set Shape Fill to No Fill too.
Frequently asked questions
Why can’t I rotate regular text?
Word only rotates text inside text boxes, shapes, WordArt, and table cells. Put the text in a text box first.
Why does rotated text look upside down in edit mode?
Word sometimes shows rotated text flat while you’re typing. Click outside the box to see the rotation.
Can I rotate text in Word for the web?
Word for the web has limited text box tools. Open the document in the desktop app for full rotation options.
How do I rotate a whole page?
Change the page orientation instead: Layout > Orientation > Landscape.
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.