How do I type in Word from right to left?

[dibigid]

I have Arabic set as a language option, and can type easily in Arabic, but
the text won't allow me to type from right to left (so the sentence actually
makes sense). I've looked all over and just want a simple option for being
able to type so the words go from right to left.

 

[PJY]

If you go to Tools on the menu toolbar, then select Customize, then format,
there is a right to left option there, but I believe it just types the text
starting at the right margin. I've never used it, so I'm not sure.

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

When a complex script/right to left language is enabled through the Microsoft Office Language Setting Tools then in Word there
should be on the formatting toolbar a right to left and left to right direction icon available or you can use Format=>Paragraph
(Home=>Paragraph in Word 2007) to set the text direction.

The language setting tools is available from
Start=>Programs=>Microsoft Office=>Microsoft Office Tools

==============
I have Arabic set as a language option, and can type easily in Arabic, but
the text won't allow me to type from right to left (so the sentence actually
makes sense). I've looked all over and just want a simple option for being
able to type so the words go from right to left. >>
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*

 

[grammatim]

But you shouldn't need to do anything. When you choose AR from your
Language Bar, it should automatically give you the Arabic keyboard,
with properly formed and connected Arabic text (in its default font,
which doesn't seem to be Tahoma).

 

[Bob Buckland ?:-\)]

Hi Grammatim,

While the characters will usually insert right to left when typing with the Arabic 101 keyboard layout the paragraph may still be
default to left justified. That can be changed from the toolbar, but having the right to left paragraph tool enabled gives a visual
indication of the underlying direction of a particular paragraph, plus having the language enabled specifically by the Office
language setting tools adds features for defining font choices within a style for complex scripts that aren't otherwise
visible/available in Word. If in adding the language using the language settings tool it shows "(limited support)" it may be that
not all of the Windows regional features have been installed as well.

If I recall, the 'fallback' font for Complex scripts would likely be Arial Unicode MS, if the style does not otherwise define it.
In Word 2007 the default shows as Arial(Body CS) for the Arabic portion of a paragraph when switching keyboards where the
English(US) is using the Calibri as the default font in the Normal/body styles.

FWIW, I use the keyboard shortcuts for the keyboard switching as CTFMon is disabled on the computer here, so there isn't a language
bar available <g> that I can check at present to see if the behavior would then vary.

===============
But you shouldn't need to do anything. When you choose AR from your
Language Bar, it should automatically give you the Arabic keyboard,
with properly formed and connected Arabic text (in its default font,
which doesn't seem to be Tahoma). >>
--

Bob Buckland ?
MS Office System Products MVP

*Courtesy is not expensive and can pay big dividends*