Flipping a Drawing Object

Summary: Drawing objects can easily be flipped horizontally or vertically in Excel. How you accomplish the task depends, of course, on the version of Excel you are using. (This tip works with Microsoft Excel 97, Excel 2000, Excel 2002, Excel 2003, and Excel 2007.)

Once you have created a drawing object in Excel using the Drawing toolbar, you can flip it horizontally or vertically. To flip an object in versions of Excel prior to Excel 2007, follow these steps:

Select the pointer tool (the arrow) from the Drawing toolbar.
Using the mouse, point to the object you want to flip, then click on it. Excel places small square boxes (handles) around the object.
Choose the Rotate or Flip option from the Draw menu on the Drawing toolbar. Excel displays a submenu of available actions.
Click on either Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical. Excel flips the object in the direction specified.

If you are using Excel 2007, the steps are slightly different:

Click once on the object you want to flip. Excel places small square boxes (handles) around the object, and the Format tab of the ribbon should be displayed.
In the Arrange group of the ribbon, click the down-arrow next to the Rotate tool. You'll see a list of tasks you can perform.
From the list of tasks, choose either Flip Horizontal or Flip Vertical. Excel flips the object in the direction specified.

ExcelTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Excel training. This tip (2447) applies to Microsoft Excel versions: 97 | 2000 | 2002 | 2003 | 2007

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