How to Mirror an Image in Microsoft Word

Learn to flip words and rotate text in Word

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Updated on December 14, 2021

What to Know

Mac: Open a Word document. Go to Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box. Type and format the text or insert a shape or image.
Windows: Go to Insert > Text Box > Draw Text Box. Drag one corner of the text box to resize it. Add text, an image, or a shape.
Mac and Windows: Right-click the box and select Format Shape > Shape Options > Effects > 3-D Rotation. Set the X Rotation to 180.

This article explains how to mirror an image in Microsoft Word on a Mac or Windows computer. This information applies to Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word for Mac.

How to Flip an Image in Word for macOS

Creating a flipped or mirror image in Microsoft Word is useful primarily when you are transferring text and imagery to fabrics with iron-on transfer paper.

Follow these steps to print a mirror image in Word for macOS.

Open a Word document.
Go to the Insert tab.
Select Text Box.
Select either Draw Text Box or Draw Vertical Text Box, depending on your specific needs.

To mirror images, text, or WordArt, these contents should first be placed within a Text Box.
Type and format your text, if applicable, within the newly-created text box.

You can also insert shapes, WordArt, or images at this point using the same methods you would use without a text box.
Once your text box contents are ready, right-click the box so that its context menu appears.

If you use a macOS without a two-button mouse, click with two fingers on the trackpad. Or, follow our instructions for how to right-click on a Mac.
Select Format Shape.
The Format Shape pane displays to the right of the document contents. Select Shape Options.
Select the Effects icon, which is the middle option.
Select 3-D Rotation so that its corresponding options become visible.
Set the X Rotation to 180.
You should now see a mirror image of the contents within the text box.
The text box has a shaded background, which may not be what you want. To remove this shading, go to the Shape Options tab and select the Fill & Line icon, represented by a tipped-over paint can. Select Fill so that its accompanying options become visible, then select No fill.

How to Flip an Image in Word for Windows

Follow these instructions to flip an image in Microsoft Word for Windows.

Open a Word document.
Select Insert > Text Box.
When the pop-out window appears, select Draw Text Box.

To mirror images, text, or WordArt, these contents should first be placed within a Text Box.
Select and drag to create a text box within the body of the document. It can be resized later if needed.
Type and format your text, if applicable, within the newly-created text box.

You can also insert shapes, WordArt, or images at this point using the same methods you would use without a text box.
Once your text box contents are ready, right-click the box so that its context menu appears, then select Format Shape.
The Format Shape pane displays to the right of the document contents. Select Shape Options.
Select Effects, which is the middle option and resembles a pentagon.
Select 3-D Rotation so that its corresponding options become visible.
Set the X Rotation to 180.
You should now see a mirror image of the contents within the text box.
The text box has a shaded background, which may not be something that you want. To remove this shading, go to the Shape Options tab, select the Fill & Line icon, represented by a tipped-over paint can, then select Fill > No fill.

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