Align Dialog |
The Align dialog allows you to adjust the alignment and spacing of selected objects on the template. You can access the Align dialog in one of the following ways:
After you have selected the objects you want to align, choose Align from the Arrange menu.
After you have selected the objects you want to align, select Arrange from the object's context menu and choose Align.
Most of the options in the Align dialog are specifically for aligning two or more objects on a template relative to each other. Accordingly, most of these options will be disabled (grayed) unless two or more objects are selected. The two exceptions are Center on Template and Center in Region, which can be performed on a single selected object.
You can set the following alignment settings:
Each of the following descriptions apply to the Horizontal options available in the Align dialog and the arrange toolbar. After you become familiar with the Align commands, you may find it easier to use the shortcut buttons in the arrange toolbar.
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Button |
Purpose |
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No Change. Because each of the horizontal alignment options can be set independently of the vertical alignment options and vice versa, the No Change option lets you leave the horizontal positioning of the selected objects the same, while you adjust the objects' vertical alignment. There is no shortcut button in the toolbar. |
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Align Left Sides. Aligns the left edges of two or more selected objects with the left edge of the master selected object. |
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Align Centers. Aligns the centers of two or more selected objects with the center of the master selected object. |
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Align Right Sides. Aligns the right edges of two or more selected objects with the right edge of the master selected object. |
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Center Horizontally in Region. Centers the selected object horizontally within a region, such as a box or an area bounded by horizontal or vertical lines. If there are no other objects on the template, the Center Horizontally in Region button functions identically to Center on Template. |
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Center on Template. Although they may sound similar, this option is different from the Align Centers option. Instead of aligning the selected object(s) relative to the center of the master selected object, this option aligns the selected object(s) relative to the center of the template itself. If a single object is selected, its horizontal center will be aligned with the horizontal center of the template. If multiple objects are selected, they will be moved horizontally as a group such that their common center lines up with the horizontal center of the template. |
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Space Evenly. Unlike the other align options, which allow as few as one or two objects be selected, this option requires that a minimum of three objects be selected. The position of the selected objects relative to each other is analyzed and the positions of the two objects closest to the left and right sides of the template are not changed. The position of the object(s) in between these two are then adjusted such that, from left to right, all of the selected objects are spaced evenly apart. |
Each of the following descriptions apply to the Vertical options available in the Align dialog and the arrange toolbar. After you become familiar with the Align commands, you may find it easier to use the shortcut buttons in the arrange toolbar.
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Button |
Purpose |
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No Change. Because each of the vertical alignment options can be set independently of the horizontal alignment options and vice versa, the No Change option lets you leave the vertical positioning of the selected objects the same, while you adjust the objects' horizontal alignment. There is no shortcut button in the toolbar. |
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Align Top Sides. Aligns the top edges of two or more selected objects with the top edge of the master selected object. |
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Align Centers. Aligns the centers of two or more selected objects with the center of the master selected object. |
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Align Bottom Sides. Aligns the bottom edges of two or more selected objects with the bottom edge of the master selected object. |
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Center Vertically in Region. Centers the selected object vertically within a region, such as a box or an area bounded by horizontal or vertical lines. If there are no other objects on the template, the Center Horizontally in Region button functions identically to Center on Template. |
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Center on Template. Although they may sound similar, this option is different from the Align Centers option. Instead of aligning the selected object(s) relative to the center of the master selected object, this option aligns the selected object(s) relative to the center of the template itself. If a single object is selected, its vertical center will be aligned with the vertical center of the template. If multiple objects are selected, they will be moved vertically as a group such that their common center lines up with the vertical center of the template. |
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Space Evenly. Unlike the other align options, which allow as few as one or two objects be selected, this option requires that a minimum of three objects be selected. The position of the selected objects relative to each other is analyzed and the positions of the two objects closest to the top and bottom sides of the template are not changed. The position of the object(s) in between these two are then adjusted such that, from top to bottom, all of the selected objects are spaced evenly apart. |
Horizontal Alignment Settings • Return to Top
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