107

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

5 Answers 5

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.

5
  • 4
    Is there a toolbar icon for this? So I won't need to remember the shortcut. Nov 8, 2014 at 15:02
  • 3
    @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, 2015 at 14:46
  • What about any text box? For instance, Yahoo Mail Text Box? How can I change text direction there?
    – Royi
    Aug 30, 2017 at 11:04
  • Tools → Options → Language Settings → Languages , and enable Asian Languages helped me.
    – sam nikzad
    Jun 13, 2021 at 9:32
  • I changed the locale setting to persian then Complex Text Layout appeared on the left column. (ubuntu 20.04)
    – mohammad
    May 3, 2022 at 11:28
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"

3
  • This question is about LibreOffice, not MS Word.
    – user187676
    Dec 19, 2017 at 6:58
  • I followed the this exact same procedure in LibreOffice Impress and it worked!
    – Megidd
    Dec 24, 2017 at 12:55
  • And then what? Where do I see the new buttons?
    – Nathan G
    Mar 22, 2022 at 9:29
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

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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
2
  • Thank you, it's solved.
    – M. Rostami
    Oct 6, 2020 at 17:23
  • @M.Rostami I'm glad :)
    – Eftekhari
    Oct 6, 2020 at 20:40
4

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

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