Evenly-spaced objects

[Jennifer]

From time to time I have the need to distribute objects along a line so that they are equally spaced. My usual procedure is to place a series of equally-spaced lines on the page, then combine them into a group. I can then align the ends of the group with the ends of the target area. The lines in the middle will be equally spaced over that range. I can then align the objects with those lines.

For example, I am preparing a birthday cake image that is to have spade, heart, diamond, and club symbols around the outside. The cake is 14.5" wide and I need to place 13 images along that edge. I placed 13 short vertical lines at 0.25" intervals, made them into a group, then stretched it to 14.5".

Is there a better way to do this?

[wapperdude]

Yes.  See this link for V2010 & newer:  https://support.office.com/en-us/article/auto-align-auto-space-and-re-layout-shapes-in-a-diagram-a523b157-c8ff-47b0-9210-2f292de8ba20f

Wapperdude

[Jennifer]

Thanks for that link. But it isn't working for me. I wonder what I am doing wrong.

In the attached workbook, I have two rows of objects. The top row is perfectly aligned and spaced. The second row is slightly misaligned and unevenly spaced.

As I understand it, I select the objects in the second row and click Auto Align & Space. When I do that, nothing happens.

[wapperdude]

First, thanks for uploading the file as VSD.  Since I have V2007, the align and distribute are different functions on the menu bar.  I selected all of the 2nd row circles, did a horizontal align and they moved into alignment as expected.  Then I did horizontal distribute based on shape centers and the circles moved to be evenly and equally spaced.  The order of the two operations is not important.

Your file appears to be fine.  I believe what you tried should have worked, but, no way for me to verify.  Sorry.  You could try the two step approach...basically what I did in V2007.  Select your 2nd row shapes.  Using the Position button, which brings a drop down menu according to the video.  Hover over the horizontal center align to preview.  Your circles should move to a perfect straight line.  Click to complete.  Then, do the same for the distribute options.  V2007 was nice in that you set the two end points and then everything in between gets moved for uniform spacing.  Couldn't tell from video if that's an option.  Seemed like you have to provide the desired spacing.  Not as convenient.

Hope this works.
Wapperdude

[Jennifer]

I uploaded it as .vsd because that's the only kind I have. I think the .vsdx format was introduced with 2013.

I figured out how it works.

To get the circles aligned vertically, click Position then Align Middle.

To get them evenly spaced, click Position, Space Shapes, and Distribute Horizontally.

Thanks for your help.