Aligning and Distributing Shapes

Align Shapes

1. Select the shape to which you want to align to other shapes, and then press Ctrl and click the shapes you want to align to it.
2. The primary shape has a thick magenta outline. You can press TAB to switch the primary shape.
3. On the Home tab, in the Arrange group, click Align button .

4. Click the alignment options you want.

Tips:

The align box is the minimal bounding box of the shape.
Align command may be ineffective for connector shapes. When they are selected, their selection handles appear.

For example, you can select three flowchart shapes, then use the Align Middle option to align them to the horizontal center.

Distribute Shapes

1. Select three or more shapes.
2. On the Home tab, in the Arrange group, click Distribute button .
3. Choose a distribution option.

1. For Vertical distribution, the boundaries are defined by the top and bottom shapes in the selection.
2. For Horizontal distribution, the boundaries are defined by the leftmost and rightmost shapes in the selection.

Tips:

The distribute box is the minimal bounding box of the shape.
Distribute command may be ineffective for connector shapes. When they are selected, their selection handles appear.

When you move a shape, the aids will help you distribute shapes automatically.

Center a Drawing

You can move all shapes to the center of the page.

On the Home tab, in the Arrange group, click the Center button .

Same size

Make shapes into the same size or angle to the primary shape.

1. Select two or more shapes.

2. The primary shape has a thick magenta outline, you can press TAB to switch the primary shape.

3. On the Home tab, in the Arrange group, click the Size button to open the pop up menu:

1. Click Same Width on the pop menu to make the shapes' width to be the same with the primary one.
2. Click Same Height on the pop menu to make the shapes' height to be the same with the primary one.
3. Click Same Angle on the pop menu to make the shapes' angle to be the same with the primary one.
4. Click Same Size on the pop menu to make the shapes' width and height to be the same with the primary one.

Note:

Same Size command will not have an effect on connectors.

About Connection Points

Adding Text

Adjust Path Segments

About Connectors

Mathematics Symbols for Easier Math