My text on a curve is backwards or upside down: how do I flip it?

Why this happens

Text on a Curve follows the direction of the curve, starting from its start node. A curve drawn right-to-left, or one whose start node is on the "wrong" end, can make the text run the wrong way or sit upside down. The tool is doing exactly what the vector says.

The fix

1. Try the one-click fix first: tick Text on other side in the Text on a Curve form. This flips the text to the other side of the curve.
2. If it still runs the wrong way, change the curve's direction. Select the curve and enter Node Editing (N), right-click the curve and choose Reverse Direction. The start node can also be changed from the same menu (right-click a node and choose Make Start Point, or press P).
3. Select the text and the curve again and re-apply Text on a Curve. The text now flows the other way.

For text on the bottom of a circle that should read upright (like the lower arc of a round sign), either use Text on other side, or use two separate arcs: top text on the top arc, and bottom text on a bottom arc with its direction reversed so it reads outward-up.

Pro tips

• The same start-node and direction logic drives which side of an open vector a profile cuts and where fluting ramps start, so learning the P shortcut pays off everywhere.
• Adjust spacing and kerning after placement rather than rebuilding the curve: the Text Spacing slider in the Text on a Curve form changes word and character spacing.