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How to Rotate Text in Google Docs

Typing text in Google Docs is pretty self-explanatory, but what new users may not know is how to rotate the text.

In Google Docs is possible to change the direction of text so that you can write sideways or vertically.

If you want to learn how to do this, there are a few different methods that you can use.

In this tutorial, I will show you how to rotate text in Google Docs.

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Rotate In Google Docs

To rotate text in Google Docs, you have to use the drawing feature. There is not a built-in way to turn your text sideways, however, if you use the drawing feature, then this becomes possible.

Here is how it is done:

1. First open your Google Doc and select where you want the rotated text to appear

Sideways text

2. In the top menu select Insert>Drawing>New

Sideways text-2

3. Select Text box

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4. Click and drag your mouse in the drawing editor. This will create a text box. You can begin typing your desired text in the text box

Sideways text-4

5. At the very top of the text box there is a small blue circle. This is the rotation handle. When you click and hold this, and drag it to the side, your drawing will begin to rotate. Click on this rotation handle

Sideways text-5

6. As you move your mouse, you will see your text begins to rotate. Rotate it the desired amount and release your mouse when fisnished

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7. If you want to rotate it to be completely sideways, 90 degrees is where you want to rotate it to

Sideways text-7

8. When you are done select the Save and Close button in the top right corner

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9. You will now have sideways text in your file

Sideways text-9

Vertical Text In Google Docs

If you want your text to actually be vertical in your document, the process is similar to creating sideways text, however, there are a few differences.

Here are the steps to getting vertical text in your file:

1. Open your Google Doc and click in the file in the spot where you want the vertical text to appear

vertical-text-1

2. In the top menu select Insert>Drawing>New

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3. In the drawing editor select the Text box from the toolbar

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4. After you have selected the Text box tool, click and drag in the editor and it will create a text box. Type your desired text in the text box

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5. Bring your cursor to the right side of your text box and click on the blue square in the middle. Hold your mouse down and begin to move your cursor to the left. This will decrease the size of the text box

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6. When you decrease the size of the text box enough, the text will appear vertically

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7. After the text is displaying vertically, select the Save and Close button in the top right corner

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8. You will now have your desired text displaying vertically in your Google Doc

vertical-text-9

Closing Thoughts

Since there is not a built-in way to automatically type your text vertically in Google Docs, we have to use a different method to change the rotation of our text.

Using the drawing feature we can both rotate our text and get it to display vertically by making some small adjustments.

If you have never used this feature before, we recommend you spend some time trying it out so that you get comfortable with how to use it.

If you are confused at all about any of the steps I have covered in this tutorial, be sure to watch the video at the top of the page.

More Google Docs Tutorials:
How to Write on an Image
Creating a Journal or Diary
How to Change Page Orientation
How to Circle Text
How to Curve Text