How to Mirror an Image in Microsoft Word

Creating a flipped or mirror image in Microsoft Word can be useful for a few reasons. The main one is to transfer text and imagery to fabrics with iron-on transfer paper. You can also transfer these items to hard surfaces if you have the right equipment. However, before printing onto parchment or wax paper, you first need to know how to flip an image in Word.

How to Flip an Image in Word for macOS

Follow these steps to print a mirror image in Word for macOS.

1. Open a Word document.

2. Go to the Insert tab.

   

3. Select Text Box.

   

4. Select 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. 

   

5. Type and format your text, if applicable, within the newly-created text box.

   You can also insert shapes, WordArt, or images at this point using the same methods you would use without a text box.

   

6. Once your text box contents are ready, right-click the box so that its context menu appears.

   If you use a macOS without a two-button mouse, click with two fingers on the trackpad. Or, follow our instructions for how to right-click on a Mac.

7. Select Format Shape.

   

8. The Format Shape pane displays to the right of the document contents. Select Shape Options.

   

9. Select the Effects icon, which is the middle option.

   

10. Select 3-D Rotation so that its corresponding options become visible.

    

11. Set the X Rotation to 180.

    

12. You should now see a mirror image of the contents within the text box.

13. The text box has a shaded background, which may not be what you want. To remove this shading, go to the Shape Options tab and select the Fill & Line icon, represented by a tipped-over paint can. Select Fill so that its accompanying options become visible, then select No fill.

How to Flip an Image in Word for Windows

Follow these instructions to flip an image in Microsoft Word for Windows.

1. Open a Word document.

2. Select Insert > Text Box.

   

3. 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. 

   

4. Select and drag to create a text box within the body of the document. It can be resized later if needed.

   

5. Type and format your text, if applicable, within the newly-created text box.

   You can also insert shapes, WordArt, or images at this point using the same methods you would use without a text box.

   

6. Once your text box contents are ready, right-click the box so that its context menu appears, then select Format Shape.

   

7. The Format Shape pane displays to the right of the document contents. Select Shape Options.

   

8. Select Effects, which is the middle option and resembles a pentagon.

   

9. Select 3-D Rotation so that its corresponding options become visible.

   

10. Set the X Rotation to 180.

    

11. You should now see a mirror image of the contents within the text box.

12. The text box has a shaded background, which may not be something that you want. To remove this shading, go to the Shape Options tab, select the Fill & Line icon, represented by a tipped-over paint can, then select Fill > No fill.