Please Note: This article is written for users of the following Microsoft Word versions: 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. If you are using an earlier version (Word 2003 or earlier), this tip may not work for you. For a version of this tip written specifically for earlier versions of Word, click here: Using the Drawing Grid.

Using the Drawing Grid

Written by Allen Wyatt (last updated October 12, 2022)
This tip applies to Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021

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.

Follow these steps to make sure the drawing grid is turned on:

Display the Page Layout tab (or the Layout tab if you are using Word 2016 or a later version) of the ribbon.
Within the Arrange group, click the Align drop-down list. Word displays a list of available commands.
Choose Grid Settings. Word displays the Drawing Grid dialog box (if you are using Word 2007 or Word 2010) or the Grid and Guides dialog box (if you are using Word 2013 or a later version.) (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Grid and Guides dialog box.

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 Objects to Grid When the Gridlines Are Not Displayed option is selected.
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 group.)
Click on OK.

WordTips is your source for cost-effective Microsoft Word training. (Microsoft Word is the most popular word processing software in the world.) This tip (5947) applies to Microsoft Word 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2019, and 2021. You can find a version of this tip for the older menu interface of Word here: Using the Drawing Grid.

Author Bio

Allen Wyatt

With more than 50 non-fiction books and numerous magazine articles to his credit, Allen Wyatt is an internationally recognized author. He is president of Sharon Parq Associates, a computer and publishing services company. Learn more about Allen...

MORE FROM ALLEN

Wrapping Text around a Graphic in a Text Box

Word allows you to wrap text around a graphic or around a text box, but it won't allow you to wrap text in a text box ...

Discover More

Setting Column Width in a Macro

Does your macro need to change the width of some columns in a worksheet? Here's how to do it.

Discover More

Filtering to a Standard Deviation

When you are working with large data sets, you may want to filter the information in those data sets according to various ...

Discover More

Discover the Power of Microsoft Office This beginner-friendly guide reveals the expert tips and strategies you need to skyrocket your productivity and use Office 365 like a pro. Mastering software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint is essential to be more efficient and advance your career. Simple lessons guide you through every step, providing the knowledge you need to get started. Check out Microsoft Office 365 For Beginners today!

More WordTips (ribbon)

The Changing Relationship of WordArt and Text Boxes

Two of the long-time features in Word are text boxes and WordArt. You might not think these two are related, but they are ...

Discover More

Counting All Graphics

Need to know how many graphics a document contains? Getting at the true number may take a little more work than it first ...

Discover More

Grouping Images Changes Text Wrap to Inline

When you group images together, Word needs to figure out how to set the text wrapping for the new group. This tip ...

Discover More

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in WordTips, a free productivity newsletter. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

Notify me about new comments ONLY FOR THIS TIP

Notify me about new comments ANYWHERE ON THIS SITE

Hide my email address

What is 6 - 0?

2024-03-14 09:51:53

THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION!my vertical gridlines were not visible in a document, and googling the problem resulted in many useless results before i found this one. it's such a simple fix but an obscured setting.thank you, too, for all your info on this site! i rely on your tips regularly!

2019-09-17 16:09:56

Laura

Unfortunately the grid does not display on top of the drawing when I follow your directions. :(

This Site

Got a version of Word that uses the ribbon interface (Word 2007 or later)? This site is for you! If you use an earlier version of Word, visit our WordTips site focusing on the menu interface.