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Tricks to Align Objects | Distribute Objects in MS Word

Positioning or Wrapping a Picture, Icon, or SmartArt Graphics for Alignments in a Word Document

Manually aligning objects is a time-consuming process. But Word, Ppt, and Excel have a great features to align any object, such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. with a click.

Besides this, you can also easily distribute more objects horizontally or vertically.

Important Notes on the Objects Alignments:

Note 1: If you want to align objects (If immovable or stacked) like Image, Icons, or SmartArt (Except Shapes, and 3D Models), you have to choose either any position or text wrap option. Otherwise, the alignment options may be inactive.

Positioning or Wrapping a Picture, Icon, or SmartArt Graphics for Alignments in a Word Document
Positioning or Wrapping a Picture, Icon, or SmartArt Graphics for Alignments in a Word Document

Note 2: Before you align any object to the top, left, right or bottom, follow the five guides that are presented below.

1. Align to Page:

After selecting “Align to Page”, if you align any object to the top, left, right or bottom, the corresponding object will touch the corner beyond the page margin as shown in the image below.

Align Object to Margin in Word Document
Align Object to Margin in Word Document

2. Align to Margin:

After selecting “Align to Margin”, if you align any object to the top, left, right or bottom, the corresponding image will touch the page margin as shown in the image below.

Align Objects to the Page
Align Objects to the Page

3. Align Selected Objects:

After choosing “Align selected objects”, when you align the selected object to the top, left, right or bottom, all of the corresponding objects will be positioned as shown in the image below.

Align Selected Objects in a Word Document
Align Selected Objects in a Word Document

4. Use Alignment Guide:

Use Alignment Guide” is a default selection in a word document, Ppt slides, or Excel Sheet. Or, after selecting it, when you align any object, a horizontal, vertical, or green guideline presents to equalize the distance from the top, bottom, right, left, or middle centre of the document as in the gridlines presented in the picture below.

Use Alignment Guide in a Word Document
Use Alignment Guide in a Word Document

5. View Gridlines:

When you use the “View Gridlines” option, you can easily place the objects wherever you want. You can easily touch one object to another as well as resize it. enable “View Gridlines” as given in the picture below.

View Gridlines to Align Objects
View Gridlines

Aligning Objects:

Aligning an object means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the left, right, centre, middle, or bottom based on the object’s position.

Steps to align an object to the left:

Go to the Insert tab

Insert any object you want from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click select one of the options you want

In a Word document, ppt slides, or excel workbook, an object moves based on the selection from the inserted position.

Align Object to Top Left:

Aligning an object to the top left means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the top left.

Steps to align an object to the top left:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens based as soon as based on the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Left”, and then click “Align Top” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the top left from the inserted position.

Align object to top left in a Word document.png2
Align the object to the top left in a Word document
Align object to top left in a Word document
Align the object to the top left in a Word document

Align Object to Top Center:

Aligning an object to the Top Center means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the Top Center.

Steps to align an object to the Top Center:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Center”, and then click “Align Top” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the top centre from the inserted position.

Align Object to Top Right:

:  Aligning an object to the Top Right means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the Top Right.

Steps to align an object to the Top Right:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Right”, and then click “Align Top” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the top right from the inserted position.

Align Object to Middle Left:

Aligning an object to the Middle Left means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the Top Right.

Steps to align an object to the Middle Left:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Left”, and then click “Align Middle” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the middle right from the inserted position.

Align Object to Middle Center:

Aligning an object to the Middle Center means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. in the Top Center.

Steps to align an object to the Middle Center:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Center”, and then click “Align Middle” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the middle centre from the inserted position.

Align Object to Middle Right:

Aligning an object to the Middle Right means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the Top Right.

Steps to align an object to the Middle Right:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Right”, and then click “Align Middle” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the middle right from the inserted position.

Align Object to Bottom Left:

Aligning an object to the Bottom Left means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the Top Right.

Steps to align an object to the Bottom Left:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Left”, and then click “Align Bottom” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the bottom left from the inserted position.

Align Object to Bottom Center:

Aligning an object to the Bottom Center means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. in the Top Center.

Steps to align an object to the Bottom Center:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Center”, and then click “Align Middle” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the bottom centre from the inserted position.

Align Object to Bottom Right:

Aligning an object to the Bottom Right means placing any object such as a picture, shape, textbox, 3D Models, Icons, etc. to the Top Right.

Steps to align an object to the Bottom Right:

After Inserting any object, from the Illustrations group

The Format tab opens as soon as the object is inserted.

On the Format tab, in the Arrange group, click Align

Then click “Align Right”, and then click “Align Bottom” or vice versa.

Now an object moves to the bottom right from the inserted position.

How to Distribute Objects in MS Word, Ppt, and Excel:

Evenly distributing space between the objects is a difficult task by using the mouse. But in word, ppt, and excel we have a great feature to distribute objects horizontally or vertically. This tool helps you do your work faster and smarter.

To distribute objects Horizontally do the following:

Select more than 3 objects as given in the picture below that you want to distribute horizontally

Click “Align” to expand the menu and select “Distribute Horizontally” on the Format tab, in the Arrange group.

To distribute objects Horizontally do the following:

  1. Select more than 3 objects as given in the picture below that you want to distribute vertically
  2. Click “Align” to expand the menu and select “Distribute Vertically” on the Format tab, in the Arrange group.

What is an alignment in Word, Excel, Ppt?

Alignment means placing any object such as a Shape, SmartArt, Image, or 3D image wherever you want in a word document. The Alignment includes Top, Left, Right, Middle, Center, or any of the 2 combinations of these.

How do I align text within a text box in Word?

Select the text box, go to “Format,” choose “Align Text,” and pick your alignment (left, center, right, or justified).

How to align multiple objects in Word?

Select the objects, go to “Format,” click “Align,” and choose alignment.

How to ensure precise alignment in Word?

Use “Align” and “Distribute” options, or rely on gridlines and rulers.

Can I center objects on the page in Word?

Yes, use “Format Object” > “Layout” > set position to “Page” and align to “Center.”

How to remove alignment and distribution settings in Word?

Reset alignment to default (e.g., “Align Left”) through the “Align” menu. For distribution, move objects manually.