You can use WordArt with a Transform text effect to curve or bend text around a shape. If you want the text to circle the shape, you can also do this, but it’s a little bit more work. You can also insert WordArt multiple times to wrap text around shapes with straight edges.
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Go to Insert > WordArt, and pick the WordArt style you want.
Note: The WordArt icon is located in the Text group, and it may appear different depending on the version you’re using and the size of your screen. The icon may also look like this
or . -
Replace the WordArt placeholder text with your own text.
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Select your WordArt text.
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Go to Shape Format or Drawing Tools Format, select Text Effects >Transform and pick the look you want.
or 
.
Note: Depending on your screen size, you might only see the icons for WordArt Styles.
Advanced techniques
Wrap around a circle To create text that completely circles your shape, choose Circle under Follow Path, and then drag any of the sizing handles until your WordArt is the size and shape you want.
Wrap around straight edges To wrap text around a shape that has straight edges, such as a rectangle, insert WordArt objects for each edge. In this example, WordArt is inserted four times, one for each side of the shape.
Group moves and copy To move or copy multiple WordArt objects as a single shape, see Group or ungroup shapes, pictures, or other objects .
Precise angle control You can control the angle of your WordArt text in relation to your shape with precision by using the Rotate tool.
If you need very precise control or are creating a complex combination of shapes and text, you’ll want to use a third-party drawing or graphics program to create the text around your shape and then copy and paste it into your Office document.
See Also
Add shapes
Insert WordArt
Create curved or circular WordArt
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Go to Insert > WordArt.
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Pick the WordArt style you want.
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Type your text.
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Select the WordArt.
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Go to Shape Format > Text Effects > Transform and pick the effect you want.
Advanced techniques
Wrap around a circle To create text that completely circles your shape, choose Circle under Follow Path, and then drag any of the sizing handles until your WordArt is the size and shape you want.
Wrap around straight edges To wrap text around a shape that has straight edges, such as a rectangle, insert WordArt objects for each edge. In this example, WordArt is inserted four times, one for each side of the shape.
Group moves and copy To move or copy multiple WordArt objects as a single shape, see Group or ungroup shapes, pictures, or other objects .
Precise angle control You can control the angle of your WordArt text in relation to your shape with precision by using the Rotate tool.
If you need very precise control or are creating a complex combination of shapes and text, you’ll want to use a third-party drawing or graphics program to create the text around your shape and then copy and paste it into your Office document.
In Word for the web you can see WordArt that’s already in your document, but to add more WordArt you need to open or edit the doc in the desktop version of Word.
You can use the Font features on the Home tab to change the font color and size, and apply bolding, italics, or underlines to your text.
Use the WordArt feature to bend and shape words
Updated on February 6, 2021
What to Know
- Use Transform in Text Effects to curve text as you wish.
- Text Effects is part of Microsoft Word’s Word Art Feature.
This article demonstrates how to bend words into an arch or around a shape or image in Word for Microsoft 365, Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, and Word for Mac 2016 and 2011.
How to Curve Text With WordArt
Microsoft Word uses the WordArt feature to curve text:
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Open a Word document and select Insert > WordArt.
You can also select the WordArt icon from the toolbar. It looks like a capital letter A. However, the icon’s appearance and location vary depending on the version and platform.
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In the WordArt menu, choose the WordArt style you want. Placeholder text appears in the document. Type your text over the placeholder text.
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Select the text to display the Drawing Tools tab.
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Go to either the WordArt Styles or Text Styles group, then select Text Effects, which is represented by a blue and white letter A.
In Word 2016, Text Effects displays when you hover the mouse cursor over it. In earlier versions, it’s clearly labeled.
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Select Transform.
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From the submenu, choose from a variety of effects, including curved and bent text. Select an option to apply it to the text.
How to Undo Curved Text
To remove a curved or bent text effect without deleting your text:
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Select the curved or bent text you want to modify.
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Select Text Effects.
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Select Transform > No Transform. The curved or bent text transformation effect is removed.
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1
Open your Word document. Double-click the document in which you want to bend a word or phrase.
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2
Select a word or phrase. Click and drag your mouse cursor across the word or phrase that you want to bend.
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Click the Insert tab. It’s at the top of the Word window. The Insert toolbar will appear at the top of the window.
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Click WordArt. This option is in the «Text» section of the toolbar. Clicking it prompts a drop-down menu.
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Select a WordArt appearance. Click one of the icons in the WordArt drop-down menu to set it as your selected text’s appearance.
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Click Text Effects. It’s in the «WordArt Styles» section of the Format tab that opens. A drop-down menu will appear.
- If this tab doesn’t automatically open after applying a WordArt appearance to your selected text, click the Format tab before proceeding.
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Select Transform. This option is in the drop-down menu. Selecting it prompts a pop-out menu.
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Click a curved option. You should see four curved options in the «Follow Path» section of the drop-down menu. Click the one you want to use to apply it to your selected text.[1]
- If you want to bend your text around a circular object, click the Rotate option (e.g., the circular text with no word in the middle) in this drop-down menu.
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Adjust your WordArt’s appearance. If you want to change the size and/or curvature of your WordArt word or phrase, do the following:
- Click and drag in or out any of the white dots to shrink or enlarge the word or phrase.
- Click and drag the yellow dot to adjust the curvature of the word or phrase.
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Save your changes. When you’re done adjusting the text, click File and then click Save to save your changes to the document.
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Add New Question
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Question
How do I start a title in MS Word with small letters, gradually increasing the size of the letters to the end of the title?
You have to individually increase the size of the writing by using the «Larger Word» pull-down bar. This is in the Home section of the app.
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Question
How do I bend heading text in MS Word?
It’s done the same way, just follow the article’s methods.
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Question
How do I curve a word more/less in MS Word?
Use the yellow dot. The yellow dot is used for adjusting shapes in Word and PowerPoint.
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You can also bend words in other Microsoft Office products such as PowerPoint.
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Applying WordArt to a word or phrase will affect nearby text. For this reason, it’s best to use WordArt on things like titles and headings rather than on a word or phrase in the middle of a paragraph.
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About This Article
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This article is a step-by-step guide on how to curve text in word. Whether you’re using a Word for Mac user or PC, Word in Office 365, click here to learn more.
Want to curve text in your Word document? It’s easy:
Choose the Word Art option, then click the text icon that looks the way you want your curved text to look. Click the Drawing Tools Format tab at the top of the window. Choose the Text Effects option, click Transform, then click a curve type from the options on the menu. Adjust the layout options for your curved text.
Essays and long research documents aren’t the only things you can create in Microsoft Word. Many people use the application to work on more lighthearted projects, such as party invitations, flyers, and posters. However, simple headers just don’t make the cut when you’re trying to get the attention of future viewers.
Adding extra touches to your Word documents can increase the visual impact of your projects, which leads to more attention to what you’re trying to convey with your page. One popular technique is using curves when working with text, which is especially useful for large headers or wrapping text around shapes and images.
Our article focuses on how you can warp and curve text in Microsoft Word to create unique, interesting designs to feature in your projects.
Curve words or text in Word
There are tons of different ways you can warp text to form a curve in Word, which can all be accessed by following the directions below. We recommend you play around with the various options to find the perfect setting that suits your vision.
Please note that the functionality described below is not available in Word Online, or desktop versions older than Word 2013.
- Open the Word document which you want to use for this project, or create a new blank document.
- Switch over to the Insert tab in your ribbon, which is the header-Esque interface located on the top section of the Word window.
- Click on the Insert WordArt icon, found in the Text section of Word 2016 and above. The icon is a slanted, blue colored letter A.
- A pop-up menu will open up with various different styles of text. Select any of these styles and colors to insert a placeholder into your document with words such as “Your text here.”
- Edit the text to say whatever you’d like, then select it by clicking on it once.
- The Drawing Tools: Format tab will open up. Click on the Text Effect icon, depicted by a white letter A with a light-blue glow around it.
- Hover over the Transform option from the drop-down menu to expand it and see all of the available warp styles for your text.
- Click on a curve or bend that you like. You can preview any options by simply hovering your mouse over them. If you choose from the “Follow path” section, you have the option to edit the curve your text follows by dragging the yellow rectangle until you’re satisfied with the result.
Curve words or text in Word for Mac
Mac users are able to use the same warping techniques as Windows users by following the directions below.
- Open the Word document which you want to use for this project, or create a new blank document.
- Switch over to the Insert tab in your ribbon, which is the header-esque interface located on the top section of the Word window.
- Click on the Insert WordArt icon, shown as a slanted, blue colored letter A with the WordArt text underneath it. (See picture below.)
- A pop-up menu will open up with various different styles of text. Select any of these styles and colors to insert a placeholder into your document with words such as “Your text here.”
- Edit the text to say whatever you’d like, then select it by clicking on it once.
- The Shape Format tab will open up. Click on the Text Effect icon, depicted by a white letter A with a light-blue glow around it. (See picture below.)
- Hover over the Transform option from the drop-down menu to expand it and see all of the available warp styles for your text.
- Click on a curve or bend that you like. You can preview any options by simply hovering your mouse over them. If you choose from the “Follow path” section, you have the option to edit the curve your text follows by dragging the yellow rectangle until you’re satisfied with the result.
You don’t have to delete your entire text and retype it to remove the curves you (or someone else) previously applied. If you want to remove the curves from a Word text, follow the instructions below.
- Perform the steps 2. to 7. to reach the Transform section while having your curved text selected.
- Select the No Transform option to remove any curves previously applied to the text.
Final thoughts
Now that you know how to curve text in Word, what Next? Download these Microsoft Word Templates to make your next Report Quicker.
Further Reading
> How to Insert a Signature in Microsoft Word
> How to Sort by Date in Excel
> How to Wrap Text in PowerPoint
> How to Insert a Horizontal Line in Word
> Insights into the Windows 10 Start Menu
Whether you want to add a little flair, or you want some text to flow along with the curve of another element (like clip art or a logo), making your letters curve along a path in Word is pretty easy.
First, click “Insert” on the main Word ribbon.
Click “WordArt” from the text options.
Select the style you want your WordArt to be. You can go for anything from plain-looking text to something super-fancy.
Type your text in your newly selected WordArt box.
With your new WordArt still selected, click “Format” on the main Word ribbon.
Click the “Text Effects” button.
Click “Transform” on the drop-down menu.
To get your text to follow a curved path, you’ll want to select one of the options from the “Follow path” section of the menu. You can choose whether you want your text to curve up, down, or all around.
Click to make your selection, and you’ll see your text automatically warped in the direction of your choosing.
If you want to play with the degree of your curve, drag the orange dot.
By moving the orientation of the orange dot, you’ll adjust the curve of your text. You can even use it to turn your text upside down. You’ll have to play with the format and adjustments a bit to get your text to curve just the way you want, especially if you’re trying to match it up with another object.
If you want your text to go back to normal with no curves, head back over to the Text Effects menu and hit “No transform.”
Just like that, your text is back to normal.
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