Nudge doesn't move objects by an exact grid unit

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Dr Curious

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
 
E

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.
 
D

Dr Curious

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)
 
D

Dr Curious

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
 
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