Rotated Text in Word 2007
I love the look of page headings that appear down the side of the page - vertical text mixed with regular text just looks so cool.
Here's how to create rotated text or vertical text on a page in Word 2007:
Start by creating a text box so choose Insert > Text Box and select either a text box style from the list (not the best idea), or click Draw Text Box to draw your own (much better).
Type your text in the text box then click Text Box Tools > Format and locate the Text Direction button. Click it to rotate the text to the desired orientation. Now simply size the text box to the desired size and move into position and apply one of Word's new text box styles and you're done. Simple and fun.
Labels: rotated text, text box, text direction, Word 2007
posted by Projectwoman @ 10:21 AM
16 Comments:
Thank you!
I spent hours on and off trying to make a simple pull off for the bottom of my flyer, and was constantly stymied by the "Rotate" button on the right of the format menu. Whenever I tried to use it, it would come up as disabled!
Even Microsoft's official documentation says the wrong thing. Blind to the right button I would have kept going forever... thanks!
What if you want to rotate the text to an angle other than 90 dedrees???
What if you want to rotate the text to an angle other than 90 degrees?
To rotate your text 90 or 180 degrees, insert into the text box a one-celled table. Type your text in the cell and rotate the text direction using the table properties. Don't forget to turn off cell borders.
This will only work with increments of 90 degrees.
To rotate your text 90 or 180 degrees, insert into the text box a one-celled table. Type your text in the cell and rotate the text direction using the table properties. Don't forget to turn off cell borders.
This will only work with increments of 90 degrees.
YOUR MISSING THE MOST IMPORTANT FEATURE, IS THAT MOST TEXT IS NOT 90 OR 180 DEGREES, TRY IT MY WAY...
GO TO INSERT SHAPE, SELECT SQARE OR RECTANGLE FOR MOST TEXT. YOU CAN THEN TURN OFF THE FILL AND OUTLINE IF YOU WANT (TEXT TOOL BOX, SHAPE FILL OR SHAPE OUTLINE)THEN RIGHT CLICK ON THE SHAPE AND SELECT ADD TEXT. NOW YOU CAN TYPE YOU TEXT AND ALL THE SUDDEN THE ROTATE BUTTON ON THE TEXT BOX TOOLS TAB IS NOW AN OPTION, YOU ALSO HAVE THE GREEN DOT IN THE TOP MIDDLE OF THE SHAPE YOU CAN CLICK AND MOVE THE MOUSE TO ROTATE. SIMPLE.
THANKS FOR THE GREAT ARTICLES.
I have tried these options, and basically what is happening is this:
the shape rotates, the text does not.
This is definitely different than previous versions of word.
Ok, we have a serious issue here. What anonomous says about rotating text in a shape works just fine in Word 2003 but DOES NOT WORK in Word 2007. If you're curious, try it - yep, you got it - it fails. The shape rotates but the text doesn't. Microsoft, as far as I know, hasn't yet admitted this is a problem and hasn't fixed it.
There is a workaround if you really do need to use a shape because you really do want text rotated to something other than 90 or 180 degrees.
First, insert the shape into the document and format it and add your text. Get it 100% right because from here on in it won't be editable.
Select the shape, press Control + X to move it to the clipboard. From the Home tab (remember this is only required for Word 2007), click the down pointing arrow under Paste and choose Paste Special and choose the Picture (Windows Metafile) option. This pastes the shape back in but this time as a picture.
Because it is now a picture you can rotate it at will and the text goes with the shape. Of course you can't edit it so if it needs fixing you need to rebuild the shape and text and repeat the cut/paste special process.
Hope this helps.
Finally! Someone actually answered the question...I thought I was going crazy after ours of curplunking around word toolbars. I wish Microsoft would respond...
...Thank you again ProjectWoman
It works but absolutely destroys the text quality to something I would be embarrassed to post anywhere. Microsoft needs to fix this problem and fix it now! :)
There is another way to rotate that text without making it an image..
Its called WordArt, ok, its still an image but at least you can edit it more easily..
Instructions:
1. Select Insert > WordArt > First Style
2. Enter your text, select your font style and size, then press OK.
3. Right click it, go to Format WordArt.
- Select Fill Color and select a color for your text.
- Select Line Color and select No Color.
- Select the Layout tab and choose Square wrapping style.
- Press OK.
4. There should be a green circle above the WordArt, click and hold while rotating to your required angle.
5. Have a cup of tea!
Tell me how it goes!
I can't believe Microsoft doesn't have a function for something as basic as rotating text. Why don't they simply make this a feature of text boxes? I agree that using the "Paste Special" workaround completely degrades the quality of the text. It really turns out quite badly. The best workaround seems to be Error406's suggestion of just using Word Art.
thanks alot, the wordart option worked for me. such a relief :)
Thanks ProjectWoman. I was pulling my hair out, until I read your instructions describing how to use WordArt to create rotated text.
I tried your text rotation thing, but it didn't work. Could you leave slightly clearer instructions (i.e. step-by-step?)
I tried the solution where you make a shape into a picture multiple times without success in Word 2007. Are you sure it works?
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