Type Vertically in Google Docs

How do I type vertically in Google Docs?

This article describes how to add vertical text to your label template in Google Docs, either by typing vertically (Options A & C) or by rotating your text through 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 & Reduce its Width

Available from the Google Docs Add-on Only

Step 1

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

Step 2

Click on the Text box icon.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Enter your text in the text box.

Step 5

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.

Your text will therefore be displayed vertically.

Step 6

Format your text according to your preferences.

You can change the text font, size, color etc. as with normal text.

Step 7

Click Save and Close.

This will insert the text box into your label template.

NOTE: It is important to ensure that the inserted text box does not increase the height of the template box, otherwise your labels could become misaligned. If the height of the template box is exceeded, you could reduce the size of your text or use a larger label template.

Step 8

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

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

Step 9

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

Option B: Insert a Text Box & Rotate

Available from the Google Docs Add-on Only

Step 1

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

Step 2

Click on the Text box icon.

Step 3

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

Step 4

Enter your text in the text box.

Step 5

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

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

Step 6

Format your text according to your preferences.

You can change the text font, size, color etc. as with normal text.

Step 7

Click Save and Close.

This will insert the text box into your label template.

NOTE: It is important to ensure that the inserted text box does not increase the height of the template box, otherwise your labels could become misaligned. If the height of the template box is exceeded, you could reduce the size of your text or use a larger label template.

Step 8

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

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

Step 9

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

Option C: Insert a Table

Available from the Google Docs Add-on Only

Step 1

In Google Docs, insert a single-column table by clicking Insert > Table and then selecting the number of rows you want your table to have.

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

NOTE: It is important to ensure that the inserted table does not increase the height of the template box, otherwise your labels could become misaligned. If the height of the template box is exceeded, you could reduce the size of your text or use a larger label template.

Step 2

Enter your text in the table.

Step 3

Format your text according to your preferences.

You can change the text font, size, color etc. as with normal text.

Step 4

Reduce the width of your 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

Select all your table rows and then click Border width > 0pt.

This will make the borders of your table invisible, leaving only the text.

Alternatively, you can make your table borders invisible by clicking Border color > White.