Change the size, rotation, and order of a shape in Visio for the web

Sometimes you want to make adjustments to your diagram, such as changing the size or rotation of a shape. Or you may want to reorder shapes (also called the z-order) that overlap each other.

Tip: Use the Zoom feature to better see small details and to have more fine-point control: Zoom In (or press Ctrl++) and Zoom Out (or press Ctrl+-).

Change the size of a shape

You often want to change the size or look of a shape once it’s on the page. Shapes have up to eight control handles. Besides resizing, you can make other changes such as adjusting the perspective of a cylinder, repositioning the tip of a cone, or moving a shape callout.

Open the diagram for editing.
To reveal the control handles, , select a shape.
Do one of the following:

Resize one side:
1. Hover over a side handle until you see a horizontal or vertical resize pointer
2. Drag the side handle until the shape is the size you want.
Resize proportionally (to maintain aspect ratio):
1. Hover over a corner handle until you see a diagonal resize pointer or .
2. Drag the corner handle until the shape is the size you want.

Set the precise size of a shape

When you use the Format Options pane to set the size of shape, dimensions can be set in increments of .25 points:

Right-click the shape and select Format Options.
In the Format Options pane on the right, under Dimension, set the exact width and height of the shape.

Change the rotation of a shape

Open the diagram for editing.
Select the shape.
To rotate the shape, select Shape > Rotate , and then select Rotate right 90 degrees or Rotate left 90 degrees. You can also drag the Rotate handle on the picture in a circle.

Rotate a shape to a precise angle

When you use the Format Options pane to rotate a shape, you can set the rotation angle in one-degree increments, from -359° to 359°.

Right-click the shape and select Format Options.
In the Format Options pane on the right, under Dimension, set the exact width and height of the shape.

Re-order overlapping shapes

Open the diagram for editing.
Select the shape.
To send the picture forward, select Shape > Bring to Front , and then select Bring Forward or Bring to Front.
To send the picture backward, select Send to Back , and then select Send Backward or Send to Back.