Rotating and Flipping an Object

Once you create an object, you can change its orientation on the document by rotating or flipping it. Rotating turns an object 90 degrees to the right or left; flipping turns an object 180 degrees horizontally or vertically. If you need a more exact rotation, which you cannot achieve in 90 or 180 degree increments , you can drag the green rotate lever at the top of an object to rotate it to any position. You can also rotate and flip any type of picture ”including bitmaps ”in a document. This is useful when you want to change the orientation of an object or image, such as changing the direction of an arrow.

Rotate an Object to any Angle

Click the object you want to rotate.

Position the pointer (which changes to the Free Rotate pointer) over the green rotate lever at the top of the object, and then drag to rotate the object.

Click outside the object to set the rotation.

Rotate or Flip an Object Using Preset Increments

Click the object you want to rotate or flip.

Click the Draw button on the Drawing toolbar.

Point to Rotate Or Flip, and then click a rotate or flip option.

Rotate an Object Around a Fixed Point

Click the object you want to rotate.

Click the Draw button on the Drawing toolbar, point to Rotate Or Flip, and then click Free Rotate.

Click the rotate handle opposite the point you want to rotate, and then press and hold the Ctrl key as you rotate the object.

Click outside the object to set the rotation.

Rotate an Object Precisely

Right-click the object you want to rotate, and then click Format AutoShape.

Click the Size tab.

Enter the angle of rotation, or click the up or down arrows.

Click OK.

Did You Know?

You can constrain the rotation in 15-degree increments . Press and hold Shift when you rotate the object.

You cannot rotate or flip some imported objects . Not all imported objects can be rotated or flipped . By ungrouping the imported object and then regrouping its components , you might be able to rotate or flip it.