Aligning text in Microsoft Word allows you to position text evenly between margins or orient text relative to the top and bottom of the page. Proper text alignment can greatly enhance the readability and visual appeal of your documents.
Horizontal Text Alignment
Horizontal alignment determines the position of text between the left and right margins. There are four types of horizontal alignment in Word:
Left Alignment
Left-aligned text has a straight left edge and an uneven right edge. This is the default alignment in Word. To left align text:
- Select the text
- On the Home tab, click the Align Left button in the Paragraph group
Alternatively, press Ctrl+L on your keyboard.
Center Alignment
Centered text is positioned evenly between the left and right margins. To center text:
- Select the text
- On the Home tab, click the Center button in the Paragraph group
Alternatively, press Ctrl+E on your keyboard.
Right Alignment
Right-aligned text has an uneven left edge and straight right edge. To right align text:
- Select the text
- On the Home tab, click the Align Right button in the Paragraph group
Alternatively, press Ctrl+R on your keyboard.
Justified Alignment
Justified text has straight edges on both left and right margins. Spacing between words and letters is adjusted so text spans the entire line. To justify text:
- Select the text
- On the Home tab, click the Justify button in the Paragraph group
Alternatively, press Ctrl+J on your keyboard.
Vertical Text Alignment
Vertical alignment determines the position of text between the top and bottom margins of the page. To access vertical alignment options:
- On the Layout tab, click the Page Setup Dialog Box Launcher
- Click the Layout tab
- In the Page section, click the Vertical Alignment dropdown
Choose from these vertical alignment options:
- Top – Aligns text to top margin
- Center – Centers text vertically on page
- Justified – Spaces text evenly top to bottom
- Bottom – Aligns text to bottom margin
Click OK to apply the vertical alignment.
Align Text in Tables
To align text in tables:
- Click in the cell you want to align
- On the Table Tools Layout tab, click an alignment button
Choose left, center, or right align. Text will align within the selected cell(s) only.
Tips for Proper Text Alignment
- Be consistent with alignment. Avoid mixing left, right, centered, and justified text unless necessary.
- Left align most body text for maximum readability.
- Center text like titles and headlines.
- Don’t overuse full justification, as large word spacing can reduce readability.
- Use tabs and tables to align text and numbers into orderly columns and rows.
Proper text alignment will give your Word documents a polished, professional look. Align text thoughtfully keeping the document purpose and audience in mind. Test different alignments and make adjustments until you achieve the optimal layout.
Frequently Asked Questions About Text Alignment
Here are answers to some common questions about aligning text in Word:
How do I center a line of text?
To center a single line, select the line of text and click the Center button on the Home tab or press Ctrl+E.
How do I justify only part of a paragraph?
Select the text you want to justify, then press Ctrl+J to justify just that portion.
How do I align numbers by decimal point?
Set a decimal tab stop on the ruler, then press Tab to align numbers on that decimal.
Can I set left and right indents for aligned text?
Yes, click the Paragraph dialog box launcher to set custom left and right paragraph indents for aligned text.
How do I align text vertically in a text box?
Right click the text box, select Format Text Box, then choose Top, Middle or Bottom vertical alignment.
Using the alignment options in Word correctly allows you to create professional documents that are pleasant to view and read. Experiment with the various alignment tools to find an optimal layout for your business or personal documents.
