# How to rotate a text box in MS Word 2003

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-rotate-a-text-box-in-ms-word-2003/585169>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 12, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-rotate-a-text-box-in-ms-word-2003/585169 "2011-06-12T00:00:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-rotate-a-text-box-in-ms-word-2003/585169/1 "2011-06-12T00:00:21Z")

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I’m trying to do some really cheap graphic design work by overlaying text ontop of a graphic. I can add a text box, type, set font and color, but can’t rotate it to the odd angle I need. When I right-click on it and select format text box, under the size tab there is a drop-down for rotation, but its grayed out. Any idea what I’m doing wrong?

Thanks for any help.

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [June 12, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-rotate-a-text-box-in-ms-word-2003/585169/2 "2011-06-12T04:37:43Z")

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From [Microsoft Answers](http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2003-word/need-to-rotate-a-text-box-in-ms-office-word-2003/5b406f65-151d-4eff-85dd-01d2d3386991):

> [@](#):
>
> You cannot rotate a Text Box in word. Try using Auto shapes or WordArt if you want to rotate it.
> 
> You can try the following work around to rotate a Text Box and check if it helps you.
> 
> # Method 1:
> 
> 1. Create a text box.
> 2. Then right click on the border, and choose “copy.”
> 3. On the edit menu, click “Paste Special” and paste it as a picture.
> 
> # Method 2:
> 
> 1. Create a text box.
> 2. Insert a WordArt into the text box  
> Now you would be able to rotate not only the text box but also the text within it.