How to change text align in Word?

[Guest]

Hi, when I want to create a new document in my Word2007, the cursor is on the
right hand side by default. This means, the text is right aligned by default.
Very strange since we usually write and read from left to right and vice
versa. My question is how can I change this? I've looked for a menu where I
can change the default document settings but so far to no avail. Any
suggestions? Thanks, Torsten

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

To clarify, is the paragraph alignment set to Right or is Right-to-Left text
direction enabled? If the former, see
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/Customization/CustomizeNormalTemplate.htm for
instructions for modifying Normal.dot (in this case, you just need to change
the paragraph alignment of the Normal style and save the change to
Normal.dot). If the latter, I'll wait for someone more knowledgeable to come
along, but you'll still need to make a change in Normal.dot, I expect.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Guest]

Dear Suzanne,

Many thanks for your reply. I can't find the normal.dot file anywhere on my
computer. Also, the entire buisness sounds like a bad joke to me. Why is the
default layout from right to left in the first place? I bought this product
in Europe, MS surely is aware that we write and read from right to left,
aren't you? All I want is to create simple word documents, I don't want to
spend hours looking for the right menu to change to the settings to normal
standard.
So, where is that normal.dot document? I used the MS Vista search function
it there were zero results.

 

[Guest]

Dear Suzanne,

Many thanks for your reply. I can't find the normal.dot file anywhere on my
computer. Also, the entire buisness sounds like a bad joke to me. Why is the
default layout from right to left in the first place? I bought this product
in Europe, MS surely is aware that we write and read from right to left,
aren't you? All I want is to create simple word documents, I don't want to
spend hours looking for the right menu to change to the settings to normal
standard.
So, where is that normal.dot document? I used the MS Vista search function
it there were zero results.

Oh, and the paragraph alignment set to Right.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

In that case, it will be (fairly) easy to fix. Unfortunately, since this is
Word 2007, I can't give you the exact steps to fix it, but I'll try. What
you need to do is find the way to modify Normal style. I believe the Styles
and Formatting task pane (or something like it) is still available. Display
that, hover over Normal, and choose Modify... from the menu. This will (I
hope) open the Modify Style dialog. In the dialog, click on the Align Left
button. Then check the box for "Add to template" and click OK.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Herb Tyson [MVP]]

Right-click on Normal in the Home tab's Styles section, and choose Modify.
In Modify Style, follow Suzanne's directions to choose Align Left. Near the
bottom, select "New documents based on this template", then click OK.

 

[Guest]

OK Herb,

I'll try it out as soon as I'm in the office again.
Thanks a lot for your help.
Best regards,
Torsten

 

[Guest]

Hi Suzanne,

Thanks again for your immediate response, I'll try to follow your
instructions and let you know the outcome.
Regards,
Torsten

 

[Guest]

Hi Suzanne,

Just a quick note to let you know I've followed your instructions and have
changed the settings now. I first had to add the Styles feature to the
feature pane -- it hadn't been there by default....
Thanks for your great support.
Regards,
Torsten

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Glad you got it working.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA

Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.