How to Type Arabic in Word
The fastest way to put Arabic into Microsoft Word is to type it in the keyboard below, click Copy, and paste it into your document — then turn on right-to-left direction. No Arabic keyboard installed? This works on any computer, even a locked work or school PC. The full Windows, Mac and Word Online steps are below.
Last updated: June 2026 · Word 365, Mac & Word Online
Quick answer: Type your Arabic in the keyboard above, click Copy, paste it into Word, then set the paragraph to right-to-left (Home tab → Paragraph → Right-to-Left, or Ctrl + Right Shift). If the numbers look wrong, change File → Options → Advanced → Numeral. That’s the whole job.
Type Arabic and copy it into Word — no setup
The keyboard at the top of this page lets you write Arabic without installing anything. Click the on-screen letters, use your own keys, or type by sound, add harakat, then tap Copy and paste into your Word document. This is the only method that needs zero system changes, so it’s perfect on a locked work or school PC. After pasting, set the paragraph to right-to-left (next section).
Turn on the Arabic keyboard on your computer
- Windows 10 / 11: Settings → Time & language → Language & region → Add a language → Arabic. Switch with Windows + Space. Full steps: Arabic keyboard for Windows.
- Mac: System Settings → Keyboard → Text Input → Edit → + → Arabic. Switch with Control + Space. See Arabic keyboard on Mac.
- Install the free Office Language Accessory Pack for Arabic if menus or proofing need it.
Set right-to-left paragraph direction in Word
Arabic is written right-to-left, so the paragraph direction must match — this is the step most people miss.
- On the Home tab, in the Paragraph group, click the Right-to-Left button.
- Or use the shortcut: Ctrl + Right Shift = right-to-left, Ctrl + Left Shift = left-to-right.
- Don’t see the button? Enable it first: File → Options → Language and add an Arabic editing language.
Fix the numbers: Arabic-Indic (١٢٣) vs Western (123)
Word decides how digits look based on one setting. Open File → Options → Advanced → Show document content → Numeral and choose:
| Setting | What you get | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Arabic | Western digits 0123456789 | Maghreb (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) |
| Hindi | Arabic-Indic ٠١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩ | Gulf & Mashriq |
| Context | Matches the surrounding text | Mixed documents |
| System | Follows your Windows region | Default fallback |
Add harakat (tashkeel) in Word
On the Arabic 101 layout the short-vowel marks sit on the Shift layer (Fatha = Shift+Q, Damma = Shift+E, Kasra = Shift+A, Sukun = Shift+X, Shadda = Shift+`). Easier: add them in the harakat keyboard and copy. If the marks don’t render cleanly, switch to a Naskh font (see below).
Mixing Arabic and English in one document
Switch input mid-sentence with Windows + Space (or Control + Space on Mac), and set direction per paragraph for bilingual layouts. Keep English numbers and Latin punctuation inside an Arabic line by typing them while the English keyboard is active; Word keeps each run in its natural direction.
Best Arabic fonts for Word
For clean, well-joined Arabic use Amiri, Noto Naskh Arabic, Traditional Arabic, Sakkal Majalla, or Tahoma as a fallback — at 14pt or larger. A proper Naskh font also fixes most “letters not joining” and harakat-rendering issues.
Word on Mac & Word Online
Word for Mac (Microsoft 365) now fully supports right-to-left — add the Arabic input in System Settings and use the same RTL direction button. Word Online / Word for the web: the easiest route is to paste your Arabic from the keyboard above and apply right-to-left.
Troubleshooting
Letters appear separated / not joining
Use a real Arabic font (Amiri, Noto Naskh Arabic) and set RTL direction — separated letters usually mean a non-Arabic font or wrong justification.
Text looks reversed or aligned wrong
You used Right-Justify, not RTL direction. Press Ctrl + Right Shift or use the Right-to-Left button.
No Arabic keyboard installed
Use the keyboard at the top of this page, then copy into Word.
Numbers keep changing on their own
Set the Numeral option (File → Options → Advanced) to a fixed value instead of Context.
Official Microsoft resources
For right-to-left and language setup that helps you type Arabic in Word:
- Right-to-left language features — Microsoft Office
- Add an input language — Microsoft
- Part of the Arabic Keyboard hub — see also Google Docs.
Type Arabic elsewhere
See our guides for Windows, Mac, iPhone, Android and Chromebook, or the phonetic typing tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I type Arabic in Word without installing an Arabic keyboard?
Type in the keyboard above, Copy, paste into Word, then set right-to-left direction. No system changes — works on locked PCs.
Why is my Arabic text reversed or left-to-right?
You used Right-Justify instead of RTL direction. Use the Right-to-Left button (Home → Paragraph) or Ctrl + Right Shift.
What’s the shortcut to change text direction?
Ctrl + Right Shift (RTL) and Ctrl + Left Shift (LTR), once an Arabic editing language is enabled.
Why are my numbers showing as ١٢٣ instead of 123?
File → Options → Advanced → Numeral; choose Arabic (Western 123), Hindi (Arabic-Indic), Context or System.
My Arabic letters aren’t joining — how do I fix it?
Use a Naskh font (Amiri, Noto Naskh Arabic) and set RTL direction, not just right-alignment.
Can I type Arabic in Word on a Mac?
Yes — add Arabic in System Settings; modern Word for Mac (365) supports right-to-left.
Does Word Online support Arabic?
Yes — paste from the keyboard above and apply right-to-left.
How do I add harakat in Word?
Shift + the mapped key on the Arabic 101 layout, or add them in our harakat keyboard and copy; use a Naskh font.