How to Rotate Text in Microsoft Office Word 2003

Text rotation is a feature often applied to newsletters, brochures and fliers. Thanks to WordArt and text boxes in Word, you can change the way text displays. Unlike AutoShapes, which rotate the shape but not the text inside them, you can rotate WordArt freely. Text within a text box can only be flipped, but not rotated in Word 2003. When rotation is enabled, a rotation handle appears above the object to help you rotate it.

Instructions

Rotate WordArt

1. Click the "Insert WordArt" button in the "Drawing" pane.

2. Choose a WordArt style from the "WordArt Gallery" dialog box and click "OK."

3. Enter the text you want to rotate into the "Edit WordArt Text" dialog box. Then click "OK."

4. Click the WordArt on your page to select it.

5. Choose "Draw," "Rotate or Flip" and "Free Rotate" from the "Drawing" pane.

6. Click the green rotation handle above the WordArt. Then use your mouse to rotate the text in a direction of your choice.

Rotate TextBox

1. Highlight the text you want to rotate in Word 2003.

2. Click the "Text Box" button in the "Drawing" pane to move the highlighted text into it.

3. Select the selection box surrounding the text box.

4. Click "Format" and "Text Direction" in the toolbar.

5. Select the text direction you want to apply in the "Text Direction - Text Box," then click "OK."

References

• Microsoft Office Online: Rotating AutoShapes
• Microsoft Office Online: How to Rotate Text for a Tent Page