To center text in Word, click within a paragraph and press Ctrl + E on Windows, or select the paragraph and press Command + E on Mac. You can also select the text and choose the centering button on the Home tab. The desktop instructions below apply to Word for Microsoft 365 and Word 2024 unless a method specifies otherwise.
The short version
- Windows: Click within a paragraph and press Ctrl + E.
- Mac: Select the paragraph and press Command + E.
- Ribbon controls: Open Home > Paragraph and select Center on Windows or Center Text on Mac.
- Word for the web: Keep keyboard focus inside the document editor before pressing Ctrl + E.
- Custom placement: Use a center tab stop when the text should center around a position you choose.
| Method | Where to use it | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Windows ribbon | Windows desktop | Centers paragraphs with Center |
| Mac ribbon | Mac desktop | Centers paragraphs with Center Text |
| Ctrl + E | Windows and web | Centers paragraphs from the keyboard |
| Command + E | Mac, iPad and iPhone | Centers paragraphs, with an external keyboard on mobile |
| Windows paragraph dialog | Windows desktop | Sets Alignment to Center |
| Mac paragraph dialog | Mac desktop | Sets Alignment to Centered |
| Touch alignment controls | iPad and Android tablets | Centers text through a formatting icon |
| iPhone ribbon | iPhone | Provides touch or VoiceOver controls |
| Android phone ribbon | Android phones | Provides touch or TalkBack controls |
| Command search | Microsoft 365 on Windows and Word for the web | Finds the centering command |
| Desktop Dictate | Microsoft 365 on Windows and Mac | Applies spoken alignment with a subscription, microphone and internet |
| Browser Dictate | Word for the web | Applies spoken alignment while signed into Microsoft 365 with a microphone |
| Center tab on the ruler | Windows and Mac desktop | Sets a text midpoint visually |
| Center tab in a dialog | Windows and Mac desktop | Sets a text midpoint numerically |
| Text box or shape text | Windows and Mac desktop | Centers paragraphs inside an object |
| Table paragraph alignment | Microsoft 365 on Windows and Word for the web | Centers paragraphs inside a table |
| Reusable centered style | Windows desktop | Applies saved formatting to other paragraphs |
| Update an existing style | Windows desktop | Changes all paragraphs using that style |
| Copy paragraph formatting | Windows desktop | Copies centering and other formatting |
| Quick Access Toolbar button | Microsoft 365 on Windows | Keeps a centering command on the toolbar |
| Recorded macro | Windows desktop | Repeats recorded centering actions |
| Cover page layout | Windows desktop | Provides a design with centered text |
Center a paragraph with the Home tab
On Windows, click inside the paragraph you want to center, then select Home > Paragraph > Center. To center several paragraphs together, select them before choosing Center.
On Mac, click within one paragraph or select several paragraphs. Open Home > Paragraph, then select Center Text.
Use a keyboard shortcut
With the cursor in your paragraph on Windows, press Ctrl + E. Select several paragraphs first when you want to center them together. To center the document body, press Ctrl + A, then press Ctrl + E.
On Mac, select the paragraph or paragraphs and press Command + E. In Word for iPad and iPhone, connect an external keyboard, select the paragraphs, and press the same combination.
Fix centering in Word for the web
If the centering shortcut does not work in your browser, put keyboard focus inside the document editor. Place the cursor in the paragraph or select the paragraphs, then press Ctrl + E. To center the document body, keep focus in the editor and press Ctrl + A, followed by Ctrl + E.
If you need to set a center tab stop, use desktop Word on Windows or Mac. Word for the web preserves existing tabs but cannot set or remove tab stops.
Center text on a phone or tablet
On an iPad or Android tablet, select the text or tap inside its paragraph. Tap the center-alignment icon in the formatting controls. Look for the icon rather than a particular written button label.
On iPhone, place the cursor in the paragraph, then open Show ribbon > Home and select Center text. With VoiceOver, swipe to each control and double-tap to activate it.
On an Android phone, place the cursor in the paragraph, then open More options > Home and select Center. With TalkBack, swipe to each control and double-tap to activate it.
Choose alignment through a dialog or search
On Windows, select the paragraphs, open Home, and use the dialog box launcher in Paragraph. Under Indents and Spacing, set Alignment to Center, then select OK.
On Mac, select your paragraphs and open Format > Paragraph. Under Alignment, choose Centered and select OK. You can also open the Paragraph dialog with Option + Command + M.
For command search in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Word for the web, select the paragraphs and open Search; in some builds, open Tell Me instead. On Windows, you can open it with Alt + Q. Enter center, browse the command results, and activate the centering command. Its wording can vary.
Center text inside tables and text boxes
In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Word for the web, click within the target paragraph inside the table. Press Ctrl + E to center it. Select the relevant paragraphs first when you want to center more than one.
For a shape or text box in Windows desktop Word, select the text inside the object and choose Home > Center. On Mac, select the contents and choose Home > Center Text. These commands change paragraph alignment inside the object.
Set a center tab stop
A center tab stop positions text around a midpoint you choose in desktop Word on Windows and Mac. Select the paragraph, open View, and select Ruler. Click the tab selector at the ruler's left end until Center Tab is selected, then click the ruler where the text's midpoint should fall. Insert a tab before the text so its contents center around that stop.
To enter a position through the Windows dialog, open Home and use the Paragraph dialog box launcher, then select Tabs. Enter the Tab stop position and choose Center under Alignment. Select Set, then OK, and insert a tab before the text.
On Mac, open Format > Tabs and enter the position under Tab stops. Choose Center, select the Add tab stop button, then select OK and insert a tab before the text.
Reuse centered formatting
To create a centered style in Windows desktop Word, start by centering a paragraph through Home > Center. Right-click that text and select Styles > Create a Style, name it in Create New Style from Formatting, and select OK. Apply it to other paragraphs from Home > Styles.
To reuse the style in future documents based on the same template, right-click the style and select Modify. Select New documents based on this template, then select OK.
Updating an existing style changes every paragraph that uses it. Select a paragraph using the target style and center it, then open Home > Styles. Right-click the style and select Update [Style Name] to Match Selection, with your style's name in the button label.
You can also record the centering action as a macro in Windows desktop Word. Select View > Macros > Record Macro and enter a name. Select Keyboard, enter an unused combination under Press new shortcut key, and select Assign.
Record the action by selecting Home > Center, then select View > Macros > Stop Recording. Select another paragraph and press your assigned shortcut to run the recorded action.
Center text with your voice
To use Dictate in Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows or Mac, you need a subscription, microphone, and internet connection. While signed into Microsoft 365, place the cursor in the target paragraph and select Home > Dictate. Wait until listening starts, then say align center in English.
In Word for the web, open your document while signed into Microsoft 365 on a device with a microphone. Place the cursor in the paragraph, select Home > Dictate, and wait until listening starts. Say align center in English to apply the alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you copy centered formatting from another paragraph?
In Word for Microsoft 365 or Word 2024 on Windows, select the centered paragraph, including its paragraph mark. Select Home > Clipboard > Format Painter, then paint over the destination paragraph. Alternatively, copy its formatting with Ctrl + Alt + C and apply it with Ctrl + Alt + V. Other formatting is copied too.
How do you add a centering button to the Quick Access Toolbar?
In Word for Microsoft 365 on Windows, open Home, right-click Center, and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. Afterward, select the paragraphs you want to center and click that toolbar button.
How do you run a centering macro without its keyboard shortcut?
In Word for Microsoft 365 or Word 2024 on Windows, select the paragraph, then open View > Macros > View Macros. Select your recorded macro and choose Run. Word for the web cannot run these macros.
Can you start with a centered cover page?
In Word for Microsoft 365 or Word 2024 on Windows, select Insert > Pages > Cover Page. Choose a layout that centers the text you need, then replace its placeholders. Not every gallery design centers every element.