For Arabic, Hebrew, or another right-to-left language, set the paragraph’s writing direction rather than adding spaces to move the text. Gmail on the web has a dedicated editing option. Changing Gmail’s display language, choosing a keyboard, and changing paragraph direction are separate decisions.
Enable the web editing control
- Open the intended Gmail account on a computer and open Settings → See all settings.
- In the Language area, enable Right-to-left editing support.
- Save the settings, then open a new draft.
- Expand the formatting toolbar and select the right-to-left direction control for the text you are composing.
Google documents this setup for the computer interface. Do not expect the Gmail mobile app to have the same settings path. On a phone, first check the keyboard and app controls available for your language.
Check mixed-language paragraphs separately
A message can contain a right-to-left paragraph beside English names, numbers, website addresses, and a left-to-right signature. Inspect each section rather than assuming one direction will suit the entire email.
Check punctuation, brackets, numbered lists, and the position of a pasted URL. Select the relevant paragraph when adjusting its direction. Do not reverse the actual characters of an email address to make its visual placement look more comfortable.
If a copied passage behaves differently, compare it with a short sentence typed directly into a fresh paragraph. This separates a paste-related formatting problem from the direction setting. Preserve the original text before simplifying formatting, particularly when it contains a carefully prepared list.
Verify the received version
Send a non-sensitive test to an account you control and inspect it on the devices your readers use. A draft preview is not proof that every receiving application will arrange mixed text identically.
If the problem appears only in one recipient’s application, provide a minimal example and the affected app or device to support. Keep the real address and wording correct; avoid padding paragraphs with repeated spaces or invisible characters as a general repair.
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References
Reviewed against the linked official and developer guidance on October 27, 2026. Available options and screen labels can vary by account, device, region, and organization policy.