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Note: If you don't see the Shape Format, Drawing Tools, or Picture Tools tabs, make sure that you've selected a text box, shape, or WordArt. You may have to double-click the object to open the Format tab.

Rotate to any angle

  1. Select the object to rotate.

  2. Select the rotation handle at the top of the object, and then drag in the direction that you want.

    Shaoe with rotation handles

    • To constrain the rotation to 15-degree increments, press and hold Shift while you drag the rotation handle.

    • When you rotate multiple shapes, they do not rotate as a group, but instead each shape rotates around its own center.

Rotate to an exact angle by degrees

  1. Select the object to rotate.

  2. Go to Shape Format, Drawing Tools or Picture Tools > Format.

  3. Select Rotate, and then select More Rotation Options.

    Rotation menu with More Rotation Options selected

  4. In the pane or dialog box that opens, enter the amount to rotate the object in the Rotation box. You can also use the arrows to rotate the object exactly where you want.

Rotate 90 degrees

  1. Select the object that you want to rotate.

  2. Go to Shape Format, Drawing Tools or Picture Tools > Format.

  3. Select Rotate, and then:

    • To rotate the object 90 degrees to the right, select Rotate Right 90°.

    • To rotate the object 90 degrees to the left, select Rotate Left 90°.

Flip an object

You can create the effect of a mirror image or flip an object upside-down (invert it) by using the Flip tools.

  1. Select the object to rotate.

  2. Go to Shape Format, Drawing Tools or Picture Tools > Format, select Rotate, and then:

    • To turn an object upside-down, select Flip Vertical.

    • To create a mirror image of the object (except WordArt), select Flip Horizontal.

Mirror WordArt or Shape text

  1. Select the WordArt or Shape to mirror.

    For more info see Insert WordArt.

  2. Select Shape Format or Drawing Tools Format.

  3. Select Text Effects Text effect icon > 3D Rotation > 3D Rotation Options.

  4. Under 3-D Rotation, set X Rotation to 180°.

    3-D rotation settings with X set to 180 deg

Note: To rotate text in a shape,

Rotate to any angle

  1. Select the object to rotate.

  2. Select the rotation handle at the top of the object, and then drag in the direction that you want.

    Rotate cursor by handle

    • To constrain the rotation to 15-degree increments, press and hold Shift while you drag the rotation handle.

    • When you rotate multiple shapes, they do not rotate as a group, but instead each shape rotates around its own center.

Rotate to an exact angle by degrees

  1. Select the object to rotate.

  2. Go to Shape Format or Picture Format >Rotate.

  3. Select More Rotation Options.

    More rotation options menu item

  4. In the pane or dialog box that opens, enter the amount to rotate the object in the Rotation box. You can also use the arrows to rotate the object exactly where you want.

Rotate 90 degrees

  1. Select the object that you want to rotate.

  2. Go to Shape Format or Picture Format .

  3. Select Rotate, and then:

    Rotate menu

    • To rotate the object 90 degrees to the right, select Rotate Right 90°.

    • To rotate the object 90 degrees to the left, select Rotate Left 90°.

Flip an object

You can create the effect of a mirror image or flip an object upside-down (invert it) by using the Flip tools.

  1. Select the object to rotate.

  2. Go to Shape Format or Picture Format .

  3. Select Rotate, and then:

    Rotate menu

    • To turn an object upside-down, select Flip Vertical.

    • To create a mirror image of the object (except WordArt), select Flip Horizontal.

Mirror WordArt or Shape text

  1. Select the WordArt or Shape to mirror.

    For more info see Insert WordArt.

  2. Select Shape Format > Format Pane.

  3. Under 3-D Rotation, set X Rotation to 180°.

    3-D rotation settings with X set to 180 deg

Rotate to any angle

  1. Select the object that you want to rotate.

  2. Select the rotation handle at the top of the object, and then drag in the direction that you want.

    Shaoe with rotation handles

See also

Wrap text around a circle or other shape

Group or ungroup shapes, pictures, or other objects

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