You can quickly align objects (such as pictures, shapes, text boxes, SmartArt graphics, and WordArt.
Align multiple objects relative to each other
Select the objects you want to align. Select the first object, and then press and hold Ctrl while you select the other objects.
Select the Shape Format tab or the Picture Format tab on the ribbon, and then select Align > Align Selected Objects.
(This option tells PowerPoint to align the objects relative to each other (rather than to the slide) in step 3.)
Select the Align command again, and then select the alignment you want from the menu:
| Option |
Description |
| Align Left |
Aligns objects along their left edges |
| Align Center |
Aligns objects vertically through their centers |
| Align Right |
Aligns objects along their right edges |
| Align Top |
Aligns objects along their top edges |
| Align Middle |
Aligns objects horizontally through their middles |
| Align Bottom |
Aligns objects along their bottom edges |
Note
Some objects may be overlapping or unequally spaced after this process. Use Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically under Align to space the objects evenly.
Align multiple objects relative to the slide
Select the objects you want to align. Select the first object, and then press and hold Ctrl while you select the other objects.
Select the Shape Format tab or the Picture Format tab on the ribbon, select Align > Align to Slide.
(This option tells PowerPoint to align the objects relative to the slide boundaries (rather than to each other) in step 3.)
Select the Align command again, and then select the alignment you want from the menu:
| Option |
Description |
| Align Left |
Aligns objects along the left edge of the slide |
| Align Center |
Aligns objects vertically through their centers at the midpoint of the slide |
| Align Right |
Aligns objects along the right edge of the slide |
| Align Top |
Aligns objects along the top edge of the slide |
| Align Middle |
Aligns objects horizontally through their middles at the midpoint of the slide |
| Align Bottom |
Aligns objects along the bottom edge of the slide |
Note
Some objects may be overlapping or unequally spaced after this process. Use Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically under Align to space the objects evenly.
Arrange objects equal distances from each other
Select at least three objects to arrange. Press and hold Ctrl to multi-select.
(If you have hard-to-select objects, go to Home > Select > Selection Pane and choose from the objects listed in that pane.)
Select the Shape Format tab or the Picture Format tab on the ribbon, and then select Align.
At the bottom of the Align menu, choose whether you want to distribute the objects relative to each other or relative to the entire slide:
| Option |
Description |
| Align to Slide |
Spaces objects evenly across the width of height of the entire slide |
| Align Selected Objects |
Spaces objects evenly relative to each other in their current positions |
Select the Align button once more and choose either horizontal or vertical spacing:
| Option |
Description |
| Distribute Horizontally |
Center the objects horizontally |
| Distribute Vertically |
Center the objects vertically |
Use gridlines or guidelines to assist in aligning objects
See Work with gridlines and use snap-to-grid in PowerPoint.
Align multiple objects relative to each other
Select the objects you want to align. Select the first object, and then press and hold Ctrl while you select the other objects.
Select the Picture Format tab at the right end of the ribbon, and then select Align > Align Selected Objects.
(This option tells PowerPoint to align the objects relative to each other (rather than to the slide) in step 3.)
Select the Align button again, and then select the alignment you want from the menu:
| Option |
Description |
| Align Left |
Aligns objects along their left edges |
| Align Center |
Aligns objects vertically through their centers |
| Align Right |
Aligns objects along their right edges |
| Align Top |
Aligns objects along their top edges |
| Align Middle |
Aligns objects horizontally through their middles |
| Align Bottom |
Aligns objects along their bottom edges |
Note
Some objects may be overlapping or unequally spaced after this process. Use Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically under Align to space the objects evenly.
Align multiple objects relative to the slide
Select the objects you want to align. Select the first object, and then press and hold Ctrl while you select the other objects.
Select the Picture Format tab at the right end of the ribbon, and then select Align > Align to Slide.
(This option tells PowerPoint to align the objects relative to the slide boundaries (rather than to each other) in step 3.)
Select the Align button again, and then select the alignment you want from the menu:
| Option |
Description |
| Align Left |
Aligns objects along the left edge of the slide |
| Align Center |
Aligns objects vertically through their centers at the midpoint of the slide. |
| Align Right |
Aligns objects along the right edge of the slide |
| Align Top |
Aligns objects along the top edge of the slide |
| Align Middle |
Aligns objects horizontally through their middles at the midpoint of the slide |
| Align Bottom |
Aligns objects along the bottom edge of the slide |
Note
Some objects may be overlapping or unequally spaced after this process. Use Distribute Horizontally or Distribute Vertically under Align to space the objects evenly.
Arrange objects equal distances from each other
Select at least three objects to arrange. Press and hold Ctrl to multi-select.
(If you have hard-to-select objects, go to Home > Select > Selection Pane and choose from the objects listed in that pane.)
Select the Picture Format tab at the right end of the ribbon, and then select Align.
At the bottom of the Align menu, choose whether you want to distribute the objects relative to each other or relative to the entire slide:
| Option |
Description |
| Align to Slide |
Spaces objects evenly across the width of height of the entire slide |
| Align Selected Objects |
Spaces objects evenly relative to each other in their current positions. |
Select the Align button once more and choose either horizontal or vertical spacing:
| Option |
Description |
| Distribute Horizontally |
Center the objects horizontally |
| Distribute Vertically |
Center the objects vertically |
Use gridlines or guidelines to assist in aligning objects
See Work with gridlines and use snap-to-grid in PowerPoint.
