Set text direction and position in a text box or shape in office for mac

Text boxes and most shapes (except for lines and connectors) can include text, and you can position or wrap that text. You can also resize shapes for a better text fit, or change the direction of the text.

Newer versions Office 2011

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Specify text direction in a shape or text box

1. Control + Click the border of the shape or text box that contains the text, and then click Format Shape.

2. In the Format Shape pane on the right, click Text Options.

3. Click the third icon, Textbox, and then select the option that you want from the Text direction list.

   

Position text horizontally in a text box or shape

Change the horizontal alignment of a single paragraph or line

1. In the shape or text box, click in the paragraph or line of text that you want to modify.

2. Click Home, and in the Paragraph group, click the horizontal alignment option that you want.

   

Change the horizontal alignment of all text in a shape or text box

1. Click the border of the shape or text box to select it.

2. Click Home, and in the Paragraph group, click the horizontal alignment option that you want.

   

Automatically resize a shape to fit text

You can automatically increase the size of a text box or shape vertically so that the text fits inside it.

1. Control + Click the border of the shape or text box that you want to resize, and then click Format Shape.

2. In the Format Shape pane on the right, click Text Options.

3. Click Layout & Properties, and then select the check box next to Resize shape to fit text.

   

Change the default setting for wrapping text

By default, the text wraps automatically as you type in a text box or shape. If you don't want the text to wrap, do the following:

1. Control + Click the shape that contains the text, and then click Format Shape.

2. In the Format Shape pane on the right, click Text Options.

3. Click Layout & Properties, and then clear the check box next to Wrap text in shape.

See also

Add, copy, or remove a text box

Change the margins between text and the edge of a text box or shape

Move, rotate, or group a picture, text box, or other object

Specify text direction in a shape, text box, or table cell

1. Enter the text in the shape or text box or table cell, and then select the text.

2. Ctrl+Click the selected text, and then click Format Shape. On the Text Box tab in the dialog box, choose a direction from the Text Direction box.

Position text horizontally in a shape or text box

1. Select the text in the shape or text box.

2. On the Home tab, under Paragraph, click the horizontal alignment button that you want.

   

   (Align Left, Centered, Align Right, Justified, or Distribute Text)

Position text vertically in a shape or text box

1. Select the text in the shape or text box.

2. On the Home tab, under Paragraph, click , and then click the vertical alignment that you want.

Wrap text in a shape or text box

By default, the text wraps automatically as you type in a text box or shape. If you don't want the text to wrap, do the following:

1. Select the text in the shape or text box.

2. On the Format menu, click Shape.

3. On the left side of the dialog box, click Text Box.

4. Under Internal Margin, clear the Wrap text in shape check box.

Resize a shape to fit text

1. Select the text in the shape or text box.

2. On the Format menu, click Shape.

3. On the left side of the dialog box, click Text Box.

4. Under Autofit, click Resize shape to fit text.

See also

Add shapes