How to change the text direction in LibreOffice?

Question

I need "right to left" text direction to write in Persian.

score 147 · Accepted Answer · edited May 30 '15 at 20:17

147

Enable Complex Text Layout (CTL) support using (sources: 1, 2, 3):

Tools → Options → Language Settings → Languages

It may be necessary to restart LibreOffice after enabling CTL.

Then:

Ctrl+Shift+D or Ctrl+Right Shift - switch to right-to-left text entry

Ctrl+Shift+A or Ctrl+Left Shift - switch to left-to-right text entry.

If the shortcuts don't work using Left Ctrl, try Right Ctrl.

edited May 30 '15 at 20:17

G-Man Says 'Reinstate Monica'

7,827

answered Mar 08 '14 at 11:24

Ali

2,641

4

Is there a toolbar icon for this? So I won't need to remember the shortcut. – AlikElzin-kilaka Nov 08 '14 at 15:02
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@AlikElzin-kilaka: If you go to the menu Tools -> Customize, and then click on the tab "Toolbars", and then select the toolbar "Formatting", you'll see the buttons "Left-to-right" and "Right-to-left" there, although I can't get them to appear. – Flimm May 30 '15 at 14:46
What about any text box? For instance, Yahoo Mail Text Box? How can I change text direction there? – Royi Aug 30 '17 at 11:04
Tools → Options → Language Settings → Languages , and enable Asian Languages helped me. – sam nikzad Jun 13 '21 at 09:32
I changed the locale setting to persian then Complex Text Layout appeared on the left column. (ubuntu 20.04) – mohammad May 03 '22 at 11:28

score 15 · Answer 2 · answered Aug 12 '14 at 04:38

15

Add Direction Buttons like MS-WORD

As you remember in MS WORD there were to buttons in standard menu which acted as shortcut.

Go to VIEW>TOOLBARS>CUSTOMIZE

Select the tab "TOOLBARS"

Select "STANDARD"

Press the button "ADD"

Select Category " Format"

From the right pane select "RIGHT TO LEFT" & "LEFT TO RIGHT"

answered Aug 12 '14 at 04:38

Mehrdad Hagh

161

This question is about LibreOffice, not MS Word. – Dec 19 '17 at 06:58
I followed the this exact same procedure in LibreOffice Impress and it worked! – Megidd Dec 24 '17 at 12:55
And then what? Where do I see the new buttons? – Nathan B Mar 22 '22 at 09:29

score 8 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 29 '13 at 17:49

8

Does this solution work?

Ctrl+Shift+D or Ctrl+Right Shift Key - switch to right-to-left text entry

Ctrl+Shift+A or Ctrl+Left Shift Key - switch to left-to-right text entry

from https://help.libreoffice.org/Common/Languages_Using_Complex_Text_Layout

answered Jan 29 '13 at 17:49

Marcus Chan

1,731

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Yes. but before that we should enable CTL support using: Tools -> Options -> Language Settings -> Languages. from: https://help.libreoffice.org/Common/General_Glossary#Complex_Text_Layout_.28CTL.29 – Ali Jan 29 '13 at 17:57
I have CTL and Asian disabled, how can I enable them please ? – Muhammad Gelbana Dec 17 '13 at 19:11

score 6 · Answer 4 · answered Jun 18 '18 at 14:50

6

Tools >> Options >> Language Settings >> Languages >> Default Languages for Documents >> Complex text layout >> Select your language (Persian).
Now you could use:

Ctrl+Shift+D or Ctrl+Right Shift Key - switch to right-to-left text entry
Ctrl+Shift+A or Ctrl+Left Shift Key - switch to left-to-right text entry

answered Jun 18 '18 at 14:50

Eftekhari

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2
5
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Thank you, it's solved. – M. Rostami Oct 06 '20 at 17:23
@M.Rostami I'm glad :) – Eftekhari Oct 06 '20 at 20:40

score 4 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 09 '13 at 08:22

In Libreoffice 3, in the menu of tools > Options > language settings > languages

In Enhanced language support section, you should check "Enabled for Complex text layout (CTL)" to enable the key combination for text writing directions. Without this option, your Ctrl+Shift keys won't take effect. When enabled, then you can use

Ctrl+Shift+D or Ctrl+Right Shift Key - switch to right-to-left text entry
Ctrl+Shift+A or Ctrl+Left Shift Key - switch to left-to-right text entry

How to change the text direction in LibreOffice?

5 Answers5

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