This article explains how to insert a page with a different orientation from the rest of your Word document. There are two ways to perform this action in Word, by inserting section breaks manually at the top and the bottom of the section that you want in the opposite orientation or by selecting text and allowing Word to insert the new sections for you. This article applies to Word 2019, Word 2016, Word 2013, Word 2010, and Word for Microsoft 365.

What To Know

  • Manual: Select Layout on the Ribbon. Go to Page Setup > Breaks > Next Page. Pick an area. Set the margins and choose your orientation.Auto: Go to Layout > Page Setup > Page Setup > Margins. Set the orientation and Apply to the Selected Text in the preview.

Manually Insert Section Breaks

Here’s how to tell Microsoft Word where to change the orientation.

  • In your document, place your cursor before the area where the pages should rotate. On the ribbon, select Layout.
  • In the Page Setup group, select Breaks > Next Page.
  • Move your cursor to the end of the area you want to rotate and repeat the steps above. Then, place your cursor in the area you want to rotate.
  • In the Page Setup group, select the Page Setup dialog box launcher (the small arrow in the lower-right corner of the group).
  • In the Page Setup dialog box, select the Margins tab.
  • In the Orientation section, select the orientation you want the section to have, Portrait or Landscape. Toward the bottom of the dialog box, in the Apply to dropdown menu, select This section. Select OK.
  • The selected section now reflects the orientation you chose.

Let Word Do It For You

You’ll save mouse clicks if you let Word insert the section breaks for you. However, when you use this method, the breaks may not end up exactly where you want them. So, make sure you’re careful when selecting the elements (paragraphs, images, tables, etc.) you want in the new layout orientation. 

In your document, place your cursor before the area where the pages should rotate. On the ribbon, select Layout.

In the Page Setup group, select Breaks > Next Page.

Move your cursor to the end of the area you want to rotate and repeat the steps above. Then, place your cursor in the area you want to rotate.

In the Page Setup group, select the Page Setup dialog box launcher (the small arrow in the lower-right corner of the group).

In the Page Setup dialog box, select the Margins tab.

In the Orientation section, select the orientation you want the section to have, Portrait or Landscape. Toward the bottom of the dialog box, in the Apply to dropdown menu, select This section. Select OK.

The selected section now reflects the orientation you chose.

  • Select all the text, images, and pages that you want to switch to the new orientation.
  • On the ribbon, select Layout. In the Page Setup group, select the Page Setup dialog box launcher (the small arrow in the lower-right corner of the group).
  • In the Page Setup dialog box, select the Margins tab.
  • In the Orientation section, select the orientation you want the section to have, Portrait or Landscape. In the Preview section, in the Apply to dropdown menu, choose Selected text. Select OK.
  • The selected section now reflects the orientation you chose.
  • You may need to perform some formatting adjustments to make the text look the way you want in the new orientation.

Select all the text, images, and pages that you want to switch to the new orientation.

On the ribbon, select Layout. In the Page Setup group, select the Page Setup dialog box launcher (the small arrow in the lower-right corner of the group).

In the Orientation section, select the orientation you want the section to have, Portrait or Landscape. In the Preview section, in the Apply to dropdown menu, choose Selected text. Select OK.

You may need to perform some formatting adjustments to make the text look the way you want in the new orientation.

  • How do I change the orientation of an entire document in Word?
  • Select Layout > Orientation and select the orientation you’d like.
  • How do I use both portrait and landscape orientations in the same Word document?
  • Select the paragraph or page you want to change. Then, choose PAGE LAYOUT > Page Setup. Select Portrait or Landscape > Apply to > Selected text.

Select Layout > Orientation and select the orientation you’d like.

Select the paragraph or page you want to change. Then, choose PAGE LAYOUT > Page Setup. Select Portrait or Landscape > Apply to > Selected text.

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