The newest update in Microsoft Excel 2016 has brought to users a much-requested feature for those working with languages that read from right to left, such as Arabic or Hebrew. This article will walk you through the simple process of switching your Excel sheets to support right-to-left (RTL) text orientation, ensuring your spreadsheets accommodate these languages with ease.
Why Switch to Right-to-Left?
Before we dive into the steps, let’s take a moment to understand why switching to a right-to-left text orientation can be vital for your work:
- Improved Readability: For languages that are written from right to left, aligning text from this direction is essential for ease of reading and comprehension.
- Consistent Formatting: With the correct text direction, you maintain consistent formatting and presentation in your spreadsheets.
- Enhanced Accessibility: Excel 2016’s RTL feature makes it accessible for users of RTL languages, encouraging inclusivity.
Step 1: Open Excel 2016
Begin by launching Microsoft Excel 2016 on your computer. Here are the steps:
- Click on the Start menu or press the Windows key.
- Type Excel in the search box and select it from the list of programs.
- Open a new or existing workbook, depending on your needs.
⚠️ Note: Ensure your system language and keyboard settings are compatible with RTL languages for a seamless experience.
Step 2: Adjust Text Direction
Now that Excel is open, let’s switch to RTL:
- Navigate to the File menu at the top left of the screen.
- From the dropdown, select Options.
- In the Excel Options window, click on Advanced.
- Scroll down to the Display section.
- Check the box labeled Right-to-left reading order.
- Click OK to apply the changes.
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| File > Options | Opens Excel Options dialog where you can tweak settings. |
| Advanced | Contains advanced settings for various Excel features. |
| Display Section | Houses the option to change the reading order. |
💡 Note: This change will apply globally to all Excel workbooks you open or create moving forward.
Step 3: Change Cell Direction
Here’s how to adjust the direction of individual cells or ranges:
- Select the cells you want to change.
- Right-click and choose Format Cells.
- Under the Alignment tab, find the Text direction section.
- Choose Right-to-Left from the drop-down menu.
- Click OK to confirm the changes.
📌 Note: You can revert back to left-to-right by selecting Left-to-Right in the same menu.
Following these steps, you'll notice that Excel has now adapted to work seamlessly with RTL languages, aligning text from right to left. Whether you're creating new spreadsheets or modifying existing ones, the RTL functionality provides a more intuitive experience for users who work in languages like Arabic or Hebrew. Remember, consistency in text direction is crucial for data integrity and collaboration with others using RTL languages. So, by enabling this feature, you're not just enhancing your own user experience, but also fostering a more inclusive work environment.
Can I switch only certain cells to RTL while keeping others LTR?
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Yes, Excel 2016 allows you to change the direction of text for individual cells or ranges independently. You can format cells with LTR text direction while others are set to RTL.
Will formulas and functions work correctly with RTL text direction?
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Absolutely. Formulas and functions in Excel work independently of text direction, meaning they’ll perform as expected regardless of whether your spreadsheet uses RTL or LTR text orientation.
Is there a shortcut to toggle between RTL and LTR directions?
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Currently, Excel does not offer a direct keyboard shortcut for toggling between text directions. You’ll need to use the “Format Cells” dialog to switch between LTR and RTL.
