Nudge doesn't move objects by an exact grid unit

[Guest]

I'm an experienced PPT user but am new to Powerpoint 2003. I'm an avid fan of
'snap to grid' and use the default 0.2cm grid/nudge units. I typically use
the arrow keys to nudge objects, but I'm now having a few problems. In trying
to phrase the question properly I've come to understand the nature of the
problems, but I can't find a fix - any suggestions would be very welcome
(I've trawled the FAQs)...

Firstly, the default object size on new presentations is 2.54cm (exactly 1
inch, even though my measurement units are cms), so when I drop a new object
onto the page the top-left corner is aligned to the grid, but the
bottom-right isn't, so the spacing of objects seldom looks good . I can set
an object to 2cm manually, but how can I set the object default size to be
2cm so that I can scale from there?

Second, when I nudge I'd like the object to always move by a 'nudge unit'
(i.e. 0.2cm). If I nudge up or left this works, but if I then nudge down or
right, PPT tries to align the bottom or right hand edge with the grid - and
if I haven't set the object size to a multiple of 0.2cm then the top of the
object is now off the grid. To clarify, try this simple test - place 2
objects side by side, select one of them, then nudge up, then down - they
aren't aligned (v. frustrating).

Even if I put a square on the grid and set the object size to a nice even
2cm, if I view at 400% and press the up and down arrows alternately, the
object seems to move up and down - is it really moving or is this a display
error?

I'd like to understand if there's a way to ensure that the nudge simply
moves the object by a whole grid unit, or else to ensure that the top-left
corner of the object is moved - as I'm sure used to happen in earlier
versions of PPT

Any thoughts?

Thanks for contributing
Dr. C

 

[Guest]

have you tried pressing the ctrl or alt key when you nudge?

 

[Echo S]

Part of the problem here might be PPT's redefined centimeters. See, in older
versions, Microsoft redefined the centimeter for PPT to equal 2.4 cm / 1
inch. http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=189826 has more info.

This was changed in, I belive, PPT 2002, and 2.54 cm now equals 1 inch in
PPT-land. I know that doesn't give you an answer or a workaround to your
issue, but it may help us understand what's happening, anyway.

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Firstly, the default object size on new presentations is 2.54cm (exactly 1
inch, even though my measurement units are cms), so when I drop a new object
onto the page the top-left corner is aligned to the grid, but the
bottom-right isn't, so the spacing of objects seldom looks good . I can set
an object to 2cm manually, but how can I set the object default size to be
2cm so that I can scale from there?

It doesn't seem that you can, but if you turn snap to grid on, you can click and
drag a shape to the size you want rather than clicking once.

 

[Guest]

Yes I can use Ctrl or Alt to move objects off the grid - but I'm trying to
keep them on the grid. If I grab a acontrol handle on the object and stretch
the top-left and bottom-right corners to a grid unit, then I will be aligned
with the grid, but I still have the effect that nudging up-down doesn't move
the object up and then down by exactly 1 grid unit (this is a pedantic point
I know, but I'd like to understand why the top-left corner of the object
isn't moving 1 grid unit at a time)

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

Another point and an idea to experiment with:

Do you have "Snap objects to other objects" turned on?
If so, try disabling it. It can produce odd results (for example, the edge
you're dragging may try to snap to its previous position).

 

[Guest]

No I keep all other snaps off - just the grid. Thanks for the tip about
clig-dragging the initial object to a desired size - that will help keep all
corners on the grid, but I still have an odd event whereby the arrow keys
don't nudge the object in a predictable manner (try playing around with
nudging a simple on-the-grid square up-down-left-right and random
combinations thereof.

I think I can close the enquiry now as I've learned to ensure that initial
objects are properly on the grid, even if PPT doesn't put them on the grid by
default.

-
Thanks for contributing
Dr. C

 

[Steve Rindsberg]

No I keep all other snaps off - just the grid. Thanks for the tip about
clig-dragging the initial object to a desired size - that will help keep all
corners on the grid, but I still have an odd event whereby the arrow keys
don't nudge the object in a predictable manner (try playing around with
nudging a simple on-the-grid square up-down-left-right and random
combinations thereof.

I've noticed a few -- but different -- oddities in that area.
Sometimes if I press the up arrow, the selected shape moves up one unit but then
does nothing when I press the down arrow, or rather it appears to move a tiny
bit but actually doesn't; on the second press, it moves back to its starting
place as it should.

In any case, I'm glad things are at least sorted out to where it's workable.