How to Reverse the Direction of a SmartArt Hierarchy in Office
Question details
The user needs to change the layout reading order of a SmartArt graphic from right-to-left to left-to-right.
- Product
- WPS Office
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Adjusting a document, presentation, or spreadsheet layout to ensure the SmartArt hierarchy flows in the correct reading direction.
- Observed behavior
- The SmartArt hierarchy is currently displayed from right to left, which conflicts with the required left-to-right layout format.
Ensure you have clicked inside the SmartArt graphic to activate the SmartArt tools on the top ribbon.
Use the Right to Left Toggle Feature
You can quickly reverse the visual layout of your entire SmartArt graphic using the dedicated direction toggle in the design tab.
This built-in tool automatically mirrors your hierarchy without requiring you to manually drag and drop individual shapes, ensuring your alignment remains perfectly formatted.
Click anywhere on the existing SmartArt hierarchy in your document to select it.
Navigate to the top menu ribbon and click on the 'SmartArt Design' tab that appears when the graphic is selected.
Locate and click the 'Right to Left' button. This will instantly reverse the hierarchy direction to left-to-right (or vice versa).
Easily Manage SmartArt and Diagrams with WPS Office
WPS Office provides robust and intuitive tools for creating, customizing, and formatting SmartArt graphics, making it simple to build professional hierarchies and flowcharts without formatting struggles.
- 1. Open Your File: Launch WPS Office and open the document containing your SmartArt graphic.
- 2. Select and Access Tools: Click on the graphic to bring up the SmartArt Tool options on the top ribbon.
- 3. Format with Ease: Use the SmartArt Design tab to reverse directions, change colors, or update the layout seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Right to Left button missing or grayed out?
Ensure you have actually selected the SmartArt graphic by clicking on its border or a shape inside it. The SmartArt Design tab and its buttons only become active when a SmartArt element is highlighted.
Does reversing the direction alter my text or organizational levels?
No, toggling the Right to Left option only changes the visual layout order (mirroring the design). It retains all your entered text, hierarchy levels, and bullet points exactly as they were.
Can I change the direction of just one shape instead of the whole hierarchy?
The Right to Left button applies to the entire SmartArt graphic. To rearrange an individual shape, click on that specific shape or its text in the Text Pane, and use the 'Move Up' or 'Move Down' buttons.
