Smart Guides in PowerPoint

When you're working with multiple objects on a slide, PowerPoint offers some great tools help you perfectly align them.

Smart Guides

Smart Guides are turned on automatically. Clicking and dragging an object will reveal Smart Guides when the object aligns with other things on the slide.

1. Click and drag an object until alignment guides appear.
   

Align and Distribute

1. Select the objects you want to position.
2. Click the Format tab.
3. Click the Align Objects button.
4. Select an alignment option:
   • Left
   • Center
   • Right
   • Top
   • Middle
   • Bottom
   

Gridlines

Just like a sheet of graph paper, the grid in PowerPoint consists of horizontal and vertical lines that help you draw and position objects.

1. Click the View tab.
2. Select the Gridlines check box to turn them on.

   A grid appears on the slide which you can use to align objects.

3. Select the object you want to align.
   
4. Click and drag an object, using the grid to position it correctly.
5. Clear the Gridlines check box to turn them off.
   

Guides

Unlike gridlines, which are stationary, drawing guides can be moved around to help you arrange objects on a slide.

1. Select the Guides check box on the View tab to turn them on.

   Horizontal and vertical guides appear on the slide. You can click and drag them wherever you want.

2. Click and drag the guides to position them on the slide.
   
3. Click and drag an object, using the guides to position it correctly.
4. Hold the Ctrl key and click and drag a guide to duplicate it.
5. Clear the Guides check box to turn them off.
   

Move with Arrow Keys

If the other alignment options don’t work for your needs, freely move objects using the arrow keys on the keyboard. This option is particularly helpful if you just need to move the object a short distance.

1. Select the object(s) you want to move.
2. Tap the arrow keys on the keyboard to nudge the objects to the desired position.