Align text vertically in Word

Change Word’s default vertical alignment for special design effects

To align text at the top, center, or bottom of the page, align text vertically (up and down) in Microsoft Word. This feature is useful for creating proper alignment of title pages or for visual interest on any page or pages in a document.

The instructions in this article apply to Word 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2003; and Word for Office 365.

Align text vertically

To position the text in a portion of a document relative to the top and bottom margins, use vertical alignment.

To reflect the change in vertical alignment, your page or pages should only be partially filled with text.

For Microsoft Word 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010 and 2007

1. Go to the tab Layout (or page layout depending on the version of Word).

2. In a group Page Settings select arrow Page Settings in the lower right corner.

3. In the dialog box Page Settings select tab Layout †

   

4. In section Page select drop-down arrow Vertical alignment and choose Top † Centre † grounded or bottom †

   if you choose grounded the text is evenly distributed from top to bottom.

5. Select Okay †

   

6. Your text will now align as you chose.

For Word 2003

To align text vertically in Microsoft Word 2003:

1. Select File †

   

2. Select Page Settings †

3. In the dialog box Page Settings select Layout †

4. Select drop-down arrow Vertical alignment and choose Top † Centre † grounded or Lower †

5. Select Okay †

Align part of a Word document vertically

When using the steps above, the default condition is to change the vertical alignment of the entire Microsoft Word document. To change the alignment of only part of the document, select the text you want to align vertically.

To vertically align part of a document:

1. Select the text you want to align vertically.

2. Go to the tab Layout (or page layout depending on the version of Word).

3. In a group Page Settings select arrow Page Settings in the lower right corner.

4. In the dialog box Page Settings select tab Layout †

5. In section Page select drop-down arrow Vertical alignment and choose an alignment.

   

6. In section Example select drop-down arrow Apply to and choose Selected text †

7. Select Okay to apply alignment to the selected text.

8. Any text before or after the selection retains the existing alignment options.

If you do not select any text before making an alignment selection, the preference is Selected text can only be applied from the current cursor location to the end of the document.

To do this, place the cursor and then:

1. Go to the tab Layout (or page layout depending on the version of Word).

2. In a group Page Settings select arrow Page Settings in the lower right corner.

3. In the dialog box Page Settings select tab Layout †

4. In section Page select drop-down arrow Vertical alignment and choose an alignment.

5. In section Example select drop-down arrow Apply to and choose This moment ahead †

6. Select Okay to apply alignment to the text.