Convert vertical text boxes into frames for East Asian text [Compatibility Mode]

In Word 2011, you can convert text boxes into frames in any document that is in compatibility mode. Compatibility mode indicates that the document was created by using an earlier version of Word or was saved in an earlier file format.

Text boxes and frames are both containers for text that can be positioned on a page and sized. Unlike text boxes, frames are only found in documents that are saved in the Word 97-2004 Document (.doc) format. This format is compatible with earlier versions of Word. In frames, you can use commentsA note or annotation that is added to a document. Word displays the comment and the name of its author in a balloon in the margin of the document or as an entry in the Reviewing pane., comment marksWhen you add a comment to a document, Word inserts a comment mark in the document. To view comment marks, click Markup on the View menu., or note reference marksA number, character, or combination of characters that reference additional information in a footnote or endnote. In the following example, the number 12 is a note reference mark.

Note reference mark
. Text boxes, on the other hand, provide most of the advantages of frames and have additional advantages, such as the ability to flow text from one text box to another.

Important

To complete this procedure, you must first turn on Chinese or Japanese language features. For more information, see Turn on Chinese language features or Turn on Japanese language features.

  1. On the View menu, click Print Layout.

  2. Select the text.

  3. On the Home tab, under Insert, click the arrow next to Text Box, and then click Vertical Text Box.

    Word Home tab, Insert group

  4. To make the text box into a frame, on the Format menu, click Text Box, click the Text Box tab, and then click Convert to Frame.

Tips 
 
  • If the text that is entered doesn't fit in the frame, the frame automatically expands vertically to fit the text. You can also wrap the text to display within the borders of the frame, or make the frame in line with the text.

  • In a vertical text box, you can either enter vertical text or insert graphics.

  • A text box doesn't automatically expand to fit text. If part of the text that is entered in a text box isn't being displayed, then you can either make the text box larger manually, or you can link it to another text box into which the additional text can overflow. You can put a text box either in front of or behind the body of a document.