{"id":73041,"date":"2023-08-11T18:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-11T22:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpdeskgeek.com\/?p=73041"},"modified":"2025-01-31T15:49:55","modified_gmt":"2025-01-31T20:49:55","slug":"how-to-rotate-a-picture-in-microsoft-word","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpdeskgeek.com\/how-to-rotate-a-picture-in-microsoft-word\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Rotate a Picture in Microsoft Word"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

You no longer need complex image editing programs such as Photoshop or GIMP to edit your images for Microsoft Word<\/a> documents. It\u2019s true that Word doesn\u2019t have all the image editing options<\/a> you might need, but simple things such as resizing, positioning, flipping, and rotating can be done on the spot inside the Word document. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The best part is that the process of rotating a picture<\/a> in Microsoft Word is straightforward and similar across platforms. That means that you can easily do it on Windows, macOS, or in the web version of this app. In fact, you can rotate any graphic element such as shapes, WordArt, or a text box in the same way as you would rotate a picture. It\u2019s a simple action, but there are several ways to do it.\n<\/p>\n\n\n

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1. Use Your Mouse to Rotate the Image\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can manually rotate a picture in Microsoft Word to the desired angle. All you have to do is click the image and drag your mouse. This is the easiest way to rotate an image in Microsoft Word and it works in Windows, macOS, and Web versions of the app.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Click the image in your MS Word document that you want to rotate. This will select the image<\/span>. \n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. You\u2019ll notice a rotation arrow<\/span> (rotation handle) at the top of the image. Depending on the version of your Microsoft Word, you might see a green dot<\/span> instead of an arrow.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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    1. Left-click<\/span> on the arrow (or the green dot) and hold down the left mouse button while you drag your mouse in any direction you want. Don\u2019t release the mouse button until you find the perfect angle for the image.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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      1. If you release the mouse by accident, don\u2019t worry, just repeat the process as many times as you want until the picture is in the desired place.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        You can press and hold the Shift <\/span>button on your keyboard to rotate the image in a 15-degree increment while dragging the mouse.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        2. Rotate an Image in a 90-degree Angle Increment\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

        If you need to rotate your image in a 90-degree increment, there\u2019s no need to do it by hand (and by the eye). There\u2019s an easier method that\u2019ll allow you to rotate your image in any of the four directions. Here\u2019s how:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Select the image by clicking on it.\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        2. Go to the Format tab<\/span> in the toolbar. You\u2019ll find it at the top of the Microsoft Word app. Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t see it at first. You\u2019ll need to select the image for it to appear. It might also be called the Picture Format<\/span> tab in some versions of Microsoft Word.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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          1. Once there, select the Rotate and Flip<\/span> feature, in the Arrange <\/span>section.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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            1. From the drop-down menu select the desired 90-degree rotation option.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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              1. As soon as you select the rotation option it\u2019ll be applied to your image.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                3. Flip the Image Horizontally or Vertically\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                Remember Microsoft Word lets you flip an image horizontally or vertically. So if you don\u2019t need a special position for the image, this option is better than rotating. This can also be a great formatting choice for your Word document layout.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                Flipping the image creates a direct mirror image from your selected picture. Follow these steps to flip your image horizontally or vertically:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                1. Select the picture you want to flip. Go to the Format<\/span> tab, and navigate to the Rotate and Flip<\/span> feature.\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                2. Select Flip Horizontal<\/span> and your image will be mirrored along the y-axis. You can also select Flip Vertical<\/span> to invert the picture along the x-axis.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                  For the best results, you can combine the rotate and flip features to get the picture in the desired position.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                  4. Rotate an Image at the Desired Angle\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                  If a 90-degree increment is not to your satisfaction, Microsoft Word lets you rotate an image at a custom degree. Here\u2019s how you can easily do it:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                  1. Click on your picture to select it. Then go to the Format<\/span> tab, and select Rotate and Flip<\/span>.\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                  2. From the drop-down menu, select More Rotation Options<\/span>\u2026, the last feature in the Rotate and Flip menu.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                    1. A Layout <\/span>dialog box will appear. Select the Size<\/span> tab, and find the Rotation<\/span> option. Here you can enter the exact angle you want to rotate your image in. Either type the number or use the small arrows on the side to find the desired angle.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                      1. Once you are done press the OK<\/span> button and the rotation will be applied to your image.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

                        Note: If you use the arrows to find the exact angle, note that the upward arrow equals positive numbers and they will rotate your picture to the right. The downwards arrow does the opposite, so your image will rotate left.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

                        5. Rotate an Image in 3-Dimensional Space with Presets\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                        Microsoft Word 2007 and later editions implemented a new feature by which you can rotate and distort your image in a 3-dimensional space. You\u2019re no longer restricted to rotating just to the left or to the right. But you don\u2019t have to bother with 3D rotation manually as MS Word has several handy presets that you can use.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                        1. Open the Image\u2019s options panel<\/span> by right-clicking on it. Select Format Picture<\/span> from the menu. It\u2019s located at the bottom.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                          1. The Format Picture dialog box will open. Select 3-D rotation<\/span> from the left side menu. In newer versions of the Microsoft Word app, instead of a dialog box, you\u2019ll have a right sidebar menu pop-up.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                            1. Tap the Presets<\/span> icon to open the Preset menu.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                              1. A drop-down menu that opens contains several presets you can choose from. They are divided into three sections: Parallel<\/span>, Perspective<\/span>, and Oblique<\/span>.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                                1. Once you choose the desired preset click it to apply it to your image. \n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                2. Press the Close<\/span> button to finish the process.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                                  6. Rotate an Image in 3-Dimensional Space Manually\n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

                                  If you don\u2019t find what you want in presets, Microsoft Word lets you manually rotate your image in 3-D space. That allows you to freely manipulate the object across the X, Y, and Z-axis. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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                                  1. Right-click your image and go to Format Picture<\/span>\u2026Go to the 3-D rotation<\/span> option in the menu.\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n
                                  2. Under the presets, you\u2019ll notice Rotation<\/span> options for X, Y, and Z-axis. You can manually type the degree values, or use the arrows.\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n
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                                    Note that:\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n