Objective 2.4 Order and group objects

  • 2.4.1 PowerPoint alignment tools
  • 2.4.2 Align objects
  • 2.4.3 Stack and reorder objects
  • 2.4.4 Order and group objects

2.4 Contents

2.4.2 Align objects

After inserting pictures or drawing shapes in the approximate locations you want them on a slide, you can align them to provide a sense of order and balance. You can use the automatic alignment commands to align individual or multiple graphics in several ways. For example, you can:

  • Align objects with each other horizontally or vertically by any edge or centerline
  • Distribute graphics evenly within their current space, either horizontally or vertically.
  • Align objects relative to the slide that contains them or to other selected objects.

The simplest way to align objects is by using the smart guides that appear when you drag objects on the slide.

Smart guides appear as dashed lines that indicate the alignment and spacing of objects

Tip: Smart guides are turned on by default. If you would prefer that they not appear, turn them off by clearing the Display Smart Guides When Shapes Are Aligned check box in the Grid And Guides dialog box.

If you prefer not to depend on the smart guides, you can use the tools on the Format tool tab to specifically align and distribute objects.

To align objects with the slide

  1. On the slide or in the Selection pane, select one or more objects that you want to align with the slide.
  2. On the Format tool tab, in the Arrange group, click the Align button.
  3. On the Align menu, if the Align to Slide option is not selected, click that option. Then click Align Left, Align Center, Align Right, Align Top, Align Middle, or Align Bottom.

To align objects with other objects

  • With the smart guides feature turned on, drag a shape until the smart guide indicates that it is aligned with another.

Or

  1. Select two or more objects you want to align with each other.
  2. On the Format tool tab, in the Arrange group, click the Align button.
  3. On the Align menu, with the Align Selected Objects options selected, click Align Left, Align Center, Align Right, Align Top, Align Middle, or Align Bottom.

To distribute shapes evenly within the current container

  1. Select three or more shapes you want to distribute.
  2. On the Align menu, click Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically.