You may have several objects in your PowerPoint slide. These may include shapes, images, placeholders, or text boxes. There are numerous ways you can align them. It is also possible to align tables, charts, and SmartArt objects in the same way.
3 ways to align objects in a Powerpoint Slide
- Align selected objects
- Align to slide
- Align using guides
We will show you all the above methods in step-wise instructions.
Let us begin.
Method #1: Align Selected Objects
Step #1: Open the PowerPoint slide with objects.
Step #2: Open the Align tool
Click on the Home tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Drawing, click on the Arrange icon.
This opens a menu.
Under Position Objects, click on the Align tab.
The Align menu opens.
Step #3: Select Align Selected Objects
Click on Align Selected Objects and ensure it has a tick mark.
All menus will close.
Step #4: Select objects
Press Ctrl and click on the objects you want to align.
Note: The first object you select will act as a reference for the others. All other selected objects will align in relation to the first object you select.
Step #5: Align objects
Open the Align tool again (refer Step #2)
The Align tool offers six options:
- Align Left – Align to left of first object
- Align Center – Align to center of first object
- Align Right – Align to right of first object
- Align Top – Align to top of first object
- Align Middle – Align to middle of first object
- Align Bottom – Align to bottom of first object
Example: Select Align Top.
All selected objects align to the top of the first object.
Method #2: Align to Slide
Step #1: Open the PowerPoint slide with objects.
Step #2: Open the Align tool
Click on the Home tab in the main menu bar to change the ribbon.
In the section Drawing, click on the Arrange icon.
This opens a menu.
Under Position Objects, click on the Align tab.
The Align menu opens.
Step #3: Select Align to Slide
Click on Align to Slide and ensure it has a tick mark.
All menus will close.
Step #4: Select objects
Press Ctrl and click on the objects you want to align.
Step #5: Align objects
Open the Align tool again (refer Step #2)
The Align tool offers eight options:
- Align Left – Align to left margin of slide
- Align Center – Align to center of slide
- Align Right – Align to right margin of slide
- Align Top – Align to top margin of slide
- Align Middle – Align to middle of slide
- Align Bottom – Align to bottom margin of slide
- Distribute Horizontally – Distribute objects equally along a horizontal line
- Distribute Vertically – Distribute objects equally along a vertical line
Example: Select Align Top.
All selected objects align to the top margin of the slide.
Method #3: Align using Guides
Step #1: Open the PowerPoint slide with objects.
Step #2: Switch on guides
Right-click on an empty space in the slide.
A menu will open.
Click on Grid and Guides.
The Grid and Guides menu will open.
The menu offers three options:
- Guides – Switches on horizontal and vertical guide-lines at the middle of the slide.
- Smart Guides – Shows smart guide-lines while dragging objects.
- Gridlines – Switches on horizontal and vertical grid-lines in the slide.
Click on the options to enable them with a tick mark.
Note: You will have to repeatedly open the menu to enable the options.
Step #3: Align objects
Click and drag object to align them with guide-lines or grid-lines.
The object will snap to the grid or guide when close.
While dragging an object, smart guides will appear as it nears another object.
Conclusion
We have shown you three ways to align objects in PowerPoint slides. Use the method you find most suitable.