# Aligning objects

If you have multiple objects on a slide, Captivate can automatically and perfectly align the objects for you. This is an easy way to create precise and professional looking movie slides.

You have many options for aligning objects both vertically and horizontally. Some of the alignment options depend upon the location of the anchor object. The anchor object is simply the first object you select. You might want to select the largest object or the object that appears first as the anchor object. So that you can easily identify the anchor object, it appears with white sizing handles, while any subsequent objects you select appear with black resizing handles. (Example)

The following image is a frame containing three selected objects (captions). The center object, with the white resizing handles is the anchor object.

#### To align multiple objects on a slide:

1. Open a Captivate movie.

2. Open a slide containing more than one object, such as two captions. You can also open a slide and add more than one object to the slide.

3. If the Alignment Toolbar is not displayed, click on the View menu, and select Alignment Toolbar.

4. Select the objects on the slide by holding down the Shift key and clicking on the individual objects.

5. Click an alignment option on the Alignment Toolbar.

   Horizontal

   | Select this option to align the left sides of the selected objects. All objects will align along the left side of the anchor object.
   | Select this option to horizontally align the centers of all objects along the center of the anchor object.
   | Select this option to space the selected objects in the center of the horizontal space of the slide. (This option does not depend on the location of the anchor object.)
   | Select this option to space the selected objects equally across the horizontal space of the slide. (This option does not depend on the location of the anchor object.)
   | Select this option to align the right sides of the selected objects. All objects will align along the right side of the anchor object.

   Vertical

   | Select this option to align the top edges of the selected objects. All objects will align along the top edge of the anchor object.
   | Select this option to vertically align the centers of all objects along the center of the anchor object.
   | Select this option to space the selected objects in the center of the vertical space of the slide. (This option does not depend on the location of the anchor object.)
   | Select this option to space the selected objects equally across the vertical space of the slide. (This option does not depend on the location of the anchor object.)
   | Select this option to align the bottom edges of the selected objects. All objects will align along the bottom edge of the anchor object.

Tips:
The x (horizontal) and y (vertical) coordinates of the mouse are automatically displayed in the lower-right corner of the Captivate project window as you move the mouse. Knowing exact coordinates can help you place objects in a precise location on a slide.
When aligning objects, it can be helpful to display the grid.
You can move objects using only the keyboard. Select an object and press an arrow key on your keyboard to move 1 pixel at a time. To move an item by the number of pixels defined in the grid, select an object and press Control+arrow key.