Rotate or flip a SmartArt graphic shape

You can change the position of shapes by rotating or reversing them. Reversing a shape is also referred to as creating a mirror image or flipping. When you rotate multiple shapes, they are not rotated as a group, but instead each individual shape is rotated around its own center.What Do You Want To Do?

Rotate a shape to any angle

Rotate a shape 90 degrees

Apply a 3-D rotation to a shape

Flip a shape

Rotate a shape to any angle

1. Click the shape that you want to rotate.

   If you want to rotate a large shape that is made up of combined associated shapes, select all of the shapes that make up the larger shape. To select multiple shapes, click the first shape, press CTRL, and then click the additional shapes.

   Fig. 1 Bending Picture Accent List layout showing selected associated shapes in the SmartArt graphic

2. Do one of the following:
   • Drag the rotation handle in the direction that you want to rotate the shape.

     

     Tip To constrain the rotation of the shape to 15 degree angles, hold down SHIFT while you drag the rotation handle.

   • Press ALT + either the RIGHT or LEFT ARROW keys.

     This will rotate the shape in the desired direction 15 degrees. To rotate the shape 1 degree, hold down the CTRL key while pressing ALT + the RIGHT or LEFT ARROW keys.

Rotate a shape 90 degrees

1. Click the shape that you want to rotate.

   If you want to rotate a large shape that is made up of combined associated shapes, select all of the shapes that make up the larger shape. To select multiple shapes, click the first shape, press CTRL, and then click the additional shapes.

   Fig. 2 Bending Picture Accent List layout showing selected associated shapes in the SmartArt graphic

2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Rotate.

   

3. Do one of the following:
   • To rotate the shape 90 degrees to the right, click Rotate Right 90°.
   • To rotate the shape 90 degrees to the left, click Rotate Left 90°.

Apply a 3-D rotation to a shape

1. Click the shape that you want to apply a 3-D rotation to.

   If you want to rotate a large shape that is made up of combined associated shapes, select all of the shapes that make up the larger shape. To select multiple shapes, click the first shape, press CTRL, and then click the additional shapes.

   Fig. 3 Bending Picture Accent List layout showing selected associated shapes in the SmartArt graphic

2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Format tab, in the Shape Styles group, click Shape Effects.

   

3. Point to 3-D Rotation, and then do one of the following:
   • To apply a 3-D rotation, click the option that you want.
   • To customize a 3-D rotation, click 3-D Rotation Options, and then choose the options that you want.

Note To remove a 3-D rotation, click the thumbnail under No Rotation.

Flip a shape

1. Click the shape that you want to flip.

   If you want to flip a large shape that is made up of combined associated shapes, select all of the shapes that make up the larger shape. To select multiple shapes, click the first shape, press CTRL, and then click the additional shapes. Each individual shape is flipped, not the set of associated shapes. Fig. 4 Bending Picture Accent List SmartArt graphic showing selected associated shapes

2. Under SmartArt Tools, on the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Rotate.

   

3. Do one of the following:
   • To reverse the shape vertically, click Flip Vertical.
   • To reverse the shape horizontally, click Flip Horizontal.

See also:

• Add or delete a fill or effect in your SmartArt graphic
• Make a shape invisible in a SmartArt graphic
• Replace a shape
• Restore the default layout and color