Align Dialog

Use the Align dialog to adjust the alignment and spacing of selected objects on the template. You can open this dialog by using one of the following methods:

Most of the options in the Align dialog are specifically for aligning two or more objects on a template relative to each other. Therefore, most of these options are unavailable unless two or more objects are selected. The two exceptions are Center on Template and Center in Region, which can be used on a single selected object.

The following alignment settings are available.

ClosedHorizontal Alignment Settings

The following descriptions apply to the Horizontal options that are available in the Align dialog and on the arrange toolbar. After you become familiar with the Align commands, you might find it easier to use the buttons on the arrange toolbar.

Button

Description

No Change: Because each of the horizontal alignment options can be set independently of the vertical alignment options and vice versa, you can use the No Change option to leave the horizontal positioning of the selected objects the same while you adjust the objects' vertical alignment. (There is no button for this option in the toolbar.)

Align Left Sides: Aligns the left edges of two or more selected objects with the left edge of the master selected object. For more information, refer to Master Selected Object.

Align Centers: Aligns the centers of two or more selected objects with the center of the master selected object.

Align Right Sides: Aligns the right edges of two or more selected objects with the right edge of the master selected object.

Center in Region: Centers the selected object horizontally within a region, such as a box or an area that is bounded by horizontal or vertical lines. If there are no other objects on the template, the Center in Region button behaves the same way as Center on Template.

Center on Template: Aligns the selected objects relative to the center of the template itself. If a single object is selected, its horizontal center is aligned with the horizontal center of the template. If multiple objects are selected, they are moved horizontally as a group so that their common center aligns with the horizontal center of the template.

Space Evenly: Analyzes the position of the selected objects relative to each other and adjusts the position of the objects between the leftmost and rightmost objects so that all of the objects are spaced evenly apart. The positions of the leftmost and rightmost objects are not changed. Requires that a minimum of three objects be selected.

ClosedVertical Alignment Settings

The following descriptions apply to the Vertical options that are available in the Align dialog and on the arrange toolbar. After you become familiar with the Align commands, you might find it easier to use the buttons on the arrange toolbar.

Button

Description

No Change: Because each of the vertical alignment options can be set independently of the horizontal alignment options and vice versa, you can use the No Change option to leave the vertical positioning of the selected objects the same while you adjust the objects' horizontal alignment. (There is no button for this option on the toolbar. )

Align Top Sides: Aligns the top edges of two or more selected objects with the top edge of the master selected object. For more information, refer to Master Selected Object.

Align Centers: Aligns the centers of two or more selected objects with the center of the master selected object.

Align Bottom Sides: Aligns the bottom edges of two or more selected objects with the bottom edge of the master selected object.

Center in Region: Centers the selected object vertically within a region, such as a box or an area that is bounded by horizontal or vertical lines. If there are no other objects on the template, the Center in Region button behaves the same way as Center on Template.

Center on Template: Aligns the selected objects relative to the center of the template itself. If a single object is selected, its vertical center is aligned with the vertical center of the template. If multiple objects are selected, they are moved vertically as a group so that their common center lines up with the vertical center of the template.

Space Evenly: Analyzes the position of the selected objects relative to each other and adjusts the position of the objects between the topmost and bottommost objects so that all of the objects are spaced evenly apart. The positions of the topmost and bottommost objects are not changed. Requires that a minimum of three objects be selected.

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