Type Vertically in Google Docs

How to type vertically in Google Docs?

This article describes how to add vertical text in a label template in Google Docs, either by typing vertically (Options A and C), or by rotating the text 90° (Option B).

[NOTE: It is not possible to insert *|merge fields|* using any of the options detailed below].

Option A: Insert a text box and reduce its width

Option B: Insert a text box and rotate

Option C: Insert a table

Option A: Insert a text box and reduce its width

Available from only Google Docs

Step 1: Open Drawing dialog box

In Google Docs, open the Drawing dialog box by clicking on Insert > Drawing > New.

Step 2: Click Text box icon

Click on the Text box icon.

Step 3: Click and drag out text box

In the drawing area, click and drag out a text box.

Step 4: Type text

Type text in the text box.

Step 5: Make text appear vertical

Reduce the width of the text box by dragging the anchor on the right-hand-side inward until the text box is the width of a single character.

The text now appears vertical.

Step 6: Format text

Format the text as required (text font, size, color, etc.).

Step 7: Insert text box into label template

Click on Save and Close to insert the text box into the label template.

NOTE: It is important to make sure that the inserted text box does not increase the height of the template box, otherwise the labels could become misaligned. If the height of the template box is exceeded, the size of the text can be reduced or a larger label template can be used.

Step 8: Change text box wrapping

Click on the text box and then click on the In front of text button.

This changes the text box's wrapping so that it can be positioned as desired.

Step 9: Drag text box to desired position

Drag the text box to the desired position within the label template.

Option B: Insert a text box and rotate

Available from Google Docs

Step 1: Open Drawing dialog box

In Google Docs, open the Drawing dialog box by clicking on Insert > Drawing > New.

Step 2: Click Text box icon

Click on the Text box icon.

Step 3: Click and drag out text box

In the drawing area, click and drag out a text box.

Step 4: Type text

Type text in the text box.

Step 5: Rotate text box to desired angle

Click on the text box's circular anchor and drag to rotate the text box to the desired angle.

Alternatively, click on Actions > Rotate > Rotate clockwise 90° or Rotate counter-clockwise 90°.

Step 6: Format text

Format the text as required (text font, size, color, etc.).

Step 7: Insert text box into label template

Click on Save and Close to insert the text box into the label template.

Step 8: Change text box wrapping

Click on the text box and then click on the In front of text button.

This changes the text box's wrapping so that it can be positioned as desired.

Step 9: Drag text box to desired position

Drag the text box to the desired position within the label template.

Option C: Insert a table

Available from Google Docs

Step 1: Insert single-column table

In Google Docs, insert a single-column table by clicking Insert > Table and then select the number of rows the table is going to contain.

The number of rows should correspond to the number of characters in the text.

NOTE: It is important to make sure that the inserted table does not increase the height of the template box, otherwise the labels could become misaligned. If the height of the template box is exceeded, the size of the text can be reduced or a larger label template can be used.

Step 2: Type text

Type text in the table.

Step 3: Format text

Format the text as required (text font, size, color, etc.).

Step 4: Reduce width of table column

Reduce the width of the table column by clicking on the right-hand edge of the table and dragging it inward until it is the width of a single character.

Step 5: Make table borders invisible

Select all table rows and then click on Border width > 0pt to make the borders of the table invisible, leaving only the text.

Alternatively, the table borders can be made invisible by clicking on Border color > White.

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