How to change the Text Direction in a Microsoft Word Table

The default orientation for text in a table is horizontal. If a table has long column headings it may look more balanced if vertical orientation is used.

To change the orientation of text in a table:

1. Select the cell or row that contains the text to be changed.

2. On the Table Tools, Layout tab, Alignment group, click the Text Direction button until you see the desired text orientation.

3. Click the Align Bottom Center button.

4. Point to the bottom border of the row containing the vertical text until the table resize pointer appears.

5. Drag down using the table resize pointer until the vertical text appears in one continuous line without wrapping.