How to Change the Text Direction in Google Docs for PC and Mobile

When typing on Google Docs, the text direction is left to right. It starts at the left margin and flows until the right margin. This default is because most countries read text left to right, although it may vary in some countries.

Google also has a setting for changing the text direction. This setting allows the text direction to start from right to left. Here’s how to change the text direction in Google Docs using your PC or mobile.

How to Change the Text Direction in Google Docs Using a PC

In Google Docs, you can change text direction on the canvas and in a table. To do this, update the text direction controls in Google Docs.

Update your Google Docs settings to change the text direction by following these steps:

1. Open Google Docs and sign in.

2. Click the Menu icon on the top-left corner of the homepage.

Step 3: Click the Settings option.

Step 4: Under Language Settings, check ‘Always show right-to-left controls.’

Step 5: Click OK to save your changes.

After updating settings to show the right-to-left controls, here’s how to change the direction of text in a paragraph:

Step 1: Open Google Docs and sign in.

Step 2: If creating a new document, click on the Blank template under ‘Start a new document’. Otherwise, if changing the text direction in an existing document, click on it from your Recent documents.

Step 3: In the Google Docs file, highlight the text you want to change the direction of.

Step 4: On the Google Docs toolbar, find the Paragraph icon with text direction arrows. Click on the icon to set the text direction to right-to-left.

How to Change the Text Direction in a Table

To make the content more concise and impactful, it is important to review the provided text and eliminate redundant words or phrases. Look out for repetitive ideas, redundant adjectives, or any phrasing that can be simplified without losing the original meaning. The objective is to enhance readability and clarity while maintaining the integrity and tone of the original text.

Step 3: On the Google Docs file, highlight the table you want to change the text direction for.

Step 4: Click the Format tab on the Ribbon.

Step 5: Click the Table menu and select Table properties. This will launch a Table properties side panel.

Step 6: Select the Table drop-down from the properties side panel.

Step 7: Select ‘right-to-left’ in the Column order section.

How to Change the Text Direction in Google Docs Using a Mobile

To write, view, or edit text in the right-to-left direction, activate the controls from the Google Docs settings on your PC. After activating the setting, you can change the direction of text on the canvas and in a table.

To change the text direction of a paragraph on your Android or iPhone, follow these steps:

1. Open the Google Docs app on your phone.

2. Make sure your phone has the latest version of the app.

Step 2: Open the document you want to change the text direction.

Step 3: Tap the Edit icon at the bottom of the app.

To review the text and eliminate redundant words or phrases, follow these steps:

Step 1: Read through the text and identify any repetitive ideas or redundant adjectives.

Step 2: Look for phrasing that can be simplified without altering the original meaning.

Step 3: Remove any unnecessary words or phrases to enhance readability and clarity.

Step 4: Tap the Format icon at the top of the app.

By following these steps, you can effectively refine the editorial content and improve language efficiency.

STEP 5: Tap the Paragraph menu.

To simplify, tap the Paragraph menu.

Step 6: Look for the Paragraph icon with text direction arrows. Click on the icon with ‘Set text direction to right-to-left’.

To change the text direction of text in table columns from your mobile, follow these steps:

Step 1: Open the Google Docs app on your phone.

Step 2: Access the document you want to edit.

Step 3: Tap on the table you want to modify.

Step 4: Tap on the cell containing the text you want to change the direction of.

Step 5: Tap on the “Format” option at the top of the screen.

Step 6: Tap on “Text Direction” from the dropdown menu.

Step 7: Select the desired direction for the text (e.g., left-to-right or right-to-left).

Step 8: Repeat steps 4-7 for any additional cells in the table.

By following these steps, you can easily change the text direction of text in table columns on your mobile device using the Google Docs app.

Step 2: Open the document you want to change the text direction of.

Step 3: Tap the Edit icon at the bottom of the app.

Step 4: Tap a table.

Step 5: Tap the Format icon at the top of the app.

Step 6: Tap Table menu.

Step 7: Look for the Table icon with text direction arrows. Click on the ‘right-to-left’ icon.

Rotating an Image in Google Docs

In Google Docs, you can rotate images. This is useful for correcting bad angles. Use the Drawing Tool or the Rotate option on the Google Docs Ribbon.