Using the Drawing Grid

When you are working with Word's drawing tools, you might find it difficult to align objects. Fortunately there is a drawing feature that you can use to assist you in doing this. You can use the drawing grid to provide a temporary, nonprinting straight edge. In this way you can easily align other objects in your drawing.

The value of the drawing grid depends on the version of Word you are using. If you are using Word 97, the drawing grid is not visible on the screen, but it remains there, acting as a "behind the scenes" force in helping to draw straight lines. If you are using a later version of Word, the grid is quite a bit more flexible, and can actually be displayed on the screen.

If you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007, follow these steps to make sure the drawing grid is turned on:

1. Make sure the Drawing toolbar is displayed.
2. Click on the Draw tool on the toolbar. Word displays the Draw menu.
3. Select the Grid option from the Draw menu. If you are using Word 97, the Snap to Grid dialog box is displayed. If you are using Word 2000, Word 2002, or Word 2003 the Drawing Grid dialog box is displayed. (Click here to see a related figure.)
4. Use the controls in the dialog box to set the specifics of the grid. You can use the controls to specify the horizontal and vertical spacing used in the grid. You should also make sure the Snap to Grid option is selected.
5. If you are using Word 2000 or Word 2002, make sure the Display Gridlines On Screen check box is selected.
6. Click on OK.

Word 2007 did away with the Drawing toolbar, so you should follow these steps, instead:

1. Display the Page Layout tab of the ribbon.
2. Within the Arrange group, click the Align drop-down list. Word displays a list of available commands.
3. Choose Grid Settings. Word displays the Drawing Grid dialog box.
4. Use the controls in the dialog box to set the specifics of the grid. You can use the controls to specify the horizontal and vertical spacing used in the grid. You should also make sure the Snap to Grid option is selected.
5. Make sure the Display Gridlines On Screen check box is selected. (You can turn the gridlines on and off later by using the View tab of the ribbon, in the Show/Hide group.)
6. Click on OK.