Changing Table Cell Text Direction

Word allows you to quickly change the direction in which the text in a cell faces. For instance, you may want the text to be vertical instead of horizontal. You can change text direction by following these steps:

1. Right-click your mouse on the cell whose text direction you want to change. A Context menu appears.
2. Choose Text Direction from the Context menu. The Text Direction dialog box appears. (Click here to see a related figure.)
3. Select the Orientation you want used for your text.
4. When satisfied, click on OK.

You can also do the same task using the Tables and Borders toolbar in any version of Word prior to Word 2007. Simply follow these steps:

1. Position the insertion point in the cell whose orientation you want to change.
2. Click your mouse on the Change Text Direction tool on the Tables and Borders toolbar. Word changes the orientation of the text in the cell.
3. Continue clicking on the Change Text Direction tool until the orientation is exactly as you want it.

If you are using Word 2007, you can accomplish the same task using the Layout tab of the ribbon. Follow these steps:

1. Position the insertion point in the cell whose orientation you want to change.
2. Make sure that the Layout tab of the ribbon is displayed.
3. Click the Text Direction option in the Alignment group on the ribbon. Word changes the orientation of the text in the cell.
4. Continue clicking on the Text Direction option until the orientation is exactly as you want it.