How to Mirror an Image in Word

Software

Updated August 12, 2019

Creating a mirror image in Microsoft Word can be useful for a few reasons; the main one involving iron-on transfer paper used to shift text and imagery onto t-shirts and other clothing, as well as various fabric-based items like canvas bags and pillowcases. You can even transfer these items to a hard surface if you have the right equipment at your disposal.

However, before printing onto your special parchment or wax paper, you first need to know how to flip an image in Word, among other things.

This tutorial is for Word for Office 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, and Word 2013.

How to Flip an Image in Word for macOS

First, open a new Word document or continue working in an existing one.
Click Insert, located along the uppermost row of options in the Word interface.
Click Text Box, located in the ribbon found directly above the document body.
Click 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 via the same methods you would use without a text box.
Once your text box contents are ready, right-click the box so its context menu appears.

If you’re a macOS user without a two-button mouse, follow our instructions on how to right-click on a Mac.
Click Format Shape.
The Format Shape interface should now be displayed to the right of your document’s contents. Click Shape Options.
Click the Effects icon, which is the middle option.
Click 3-D Rotation so its corresponding options become visible.
Set the X Rotation to 180.
You should now see a mirror image of the contents within your text box.
You may also notice your text box now has a shaded background, which may not be something you want. To remove this shading, click the Fill & Line icon, represented by a tipped-over paint can and located in the Shape Options tab, click Fill so its accompanying options become visible, then click No fill.

How to Flip an Image in Word for Windows

To get started, open a new Word document or continue working in an existing one.
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 your 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 via the same methods you would use without a text box.
Once your text box contents are ready, right-click the box so its context menu appears, then select Format Shape.
The Format Shape interface should now be displayed to the right of your document’s contents. Select Shape Options.
Select the Effects button, which is the middle option that resembles a pentagon.
Select 3-D Rotation so its corresponding options become visible.
Set the X Rotation to 180.
You should now see a mirror image of the contents within your text box.
You may also notice your text box now has a shaded background, which may not be something that you want. To remove this shading, click the Fill & Line icon, represented by a tipped-over paint can and located in the Shape Options tab, then select Fill > No fill.