How to flip an image in Google Docs on PC and phone

Flipping an image is completely different from rotating it. To flip an image means to reverse it. The result of flipping an image is similar to the reflection you see after placing it in front of a mirror. Read on to learn how to flip an image in Google Docs on your computer and phone.

You can either flip an image vertically or horizontally. Flipping the image vertically reverses the bottom and top sides. Flipping horizontally, on the other hand, reverses the left and right sides. To flip an image in Google Docs, here are the steps you need to follow.

How to flip an image on Google Docs for PC

Flipping an image in Google Docs requires using the drawing tool. Follow the steps below to see how it works:

Step 1: Launch Google Docs in a browser on your computer.

Visit Google Docs

Step 2: Open the document with the image you want to flip.

Step 3: Select the image in the document and right-click on it.

Step 4: From the options menu, select Cut to save the image to your clipboard.

Advice: Alternatively, you can select the image and then press CTRL+X at the same time on your keyboard to cut it.

Step 5: From the ribbon in your document, select the Insert tab.

Step 6: Select the drawing from the list of available options.

Step 7: Select “New” to launch the drawing tool on Google Docs.

Step 8: Right-click the drawing tool and select Paste from the options menu. Once the image appears here, Google Docs will automatically highlight it.

Hint: Alternatively, you can select the box and then press CTRL+V at the same time on your keyboard to paste.

Step 9: To flip the selected image, click Actions to reveal a drop-down menu displaying a list of options.

Step 10: Select Rotate from the options and choose either Flip Horizontally or Flip Vertically.

Step 11: Click Save & Close to commit the changes.

How to undo an image flip on Google Docs for PC

If you want to restore the mirrored image to its original state, a simple press of the CTRL+Z keys on your computer should work. However, this only works if no other copy or paste action has been performed. If other actions have been performed, the image can be restored to its original state using the version history. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1: Launch Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the document in the mirror image.

Step 3: Select the image in the document.

Step 4: Click Edit that appears below the image to launch the drawing tool.

Step 5: At the top of the drawing tool, select the drop-down menu next to Actions.

Step 6: Select See version history to view all changes made to the image.

Step 7: Select the version you want to restore.

Step 8: Click Restore this version.

Step 9: Select Save & Close to commit the changes.

How to flip an image on Google Docs for mobile

Flipping images in Google Docs on mobile isn't as straightforward as it is on the web. There's no drawing tool on the mobile app like there is on the web version. However, most smartphones have a default Photos app that can be used to perform the flipping process.

Check out the steps below to insert flipped images in Google Docs mobile.

How to flip a photo on iPhone

To flip a photo on your iPhone, make sure the photo is already saved in the Photos app. Once saved, follow the steps below:

Step 1: Launch the Photos app.

Step 2: Select the image you want to flip.

Step 3: Select Edit at the top right of the screen.

Step 4: Select the Crop icon at the bottom of the screen.

Step 5: At the top left of the screen, select the triangle to flip the image.

Step 6: Select Done to save changes.

How to flip an image on Android

Various Android phone manufacturers pack a gallery app that doesn't have a flip photo feature. However, Android users can take advantage of Google's free photo editing app, Snapseed, to flip photos. Here's how it works:

Step 1: Download and install Snapseed.

Download Snapseed

Step 2: Launch the app and select the + icon to upload an image.

Step 3: Select the image you want to flip.

Step 4: After loading the image into Snapseed, click the Tools tab.

Step 5: Select Rotate from the options menu.

Step 6: Click Flip, which is represented by two heads facing inwards.

Step 7: Click the tick mark at the bottom right of the screen to save your changes.

Step 8: Save the image to your device by clicking Export & Save.

Insert an upside-down image in Google Docs for mobile

After flipping the image on your iPhone or Android device, you can now insert it into Google Docs. Here's how:

Step 1: Launch Google Docs.

Step 2: Open the document for the image.

Step 3: Select the edit icon.

Step 4: Select the + sign at the top of the page.

Step 5: Select Insert Image.

Step 6: Choose from the images.

Step 7: Select the mirrored image from the gallery and click Add.

Save images from Google Docs to your phone and PC

Although flipping an image on a mobile app isn't as easy as it is on a PC, the process isn't difficult. Also, you can Save those images from Google Docs to your phone. Or your computer. Now that you know how to flip an image in Google Docs on your computer and phone, show us some of the images you made in the comments.