You can place objects precisely where you want them on the slide canvas by specifying spatial coordinates using the ruler measurements.

To specify an object’s position by its x and y coordinates:

  1. Select the object you want to position.

  2. Click Inspector in the toolbar, and then click the Metrics inspector button.

  3. Enter x and y values (in ruler measurements) in the Position fields.

The specified coordinates determine the position of the upper-left corner of the object’s container box. If an object is rotated, the x and y coordinates specify the upper-left corner of the container box of the rotated object, which may be a different size from the original.

  • The x value is measured from the left edge of the slide canvas.

  • The y value is measured from the top edge of the slide canvas.

When you enter x and y coordinates for line positions in the Metrics Inspector, the Start coordinates refer to the first endpoint you created (or the upper-left endpoint, if you didn’t draw the line). If you later flip or rotate the line, the Start coordinates continue to refer to the same endpoint.

Another way to align objects on the fly is to use built-in alignment and relative spacing guides that appear as you drag objects around the canvas, or to create static alignment guides that help you line up objects or place them in the same position on different slides. See Using Alignment and Relative Spacing Guides and Creating Your Own Alignment Guides.

Or use master gridlines to align objects. For more information, see Using Master Gridlines.

Was this page helpful? Send feedback.