If I understand correctly you should be able to place "0" in the rotation box the text should then be readable. Then under the tools menu "save options as default". To test it open a new page and type in something.

I'm guessing that you have inadvertantly saved the 270 setting from an earlier job.

If this doesn't work You can shut down Corel and on re-opening it hold down F8 which will restore the Corel default settings.

Thanks Mike,
I've tried the first option it still comes back to 270 , got me stuffed.
Guess I'll have to try the F8 option, unfortunately it's on the PC at work, (I'm at home, 9pm Aussie time), so will give that a go in the morning.
I think it's really cross with me I even tried removing that command icon from the toolbar and reinserting it and yup 270 back again.

Thanks Mike,
I used the F8 this morning and it's back to normal, I just had to set up a few custom icons, I'll have a play with the settings on your last post to see if I can work out what happened.

appreciate your help.

regards Clive.