Override Snap Behaviour in Visio with These Simple Tricks

by  Avantix Learning Team | Updated September 5, 2021

Applies to: Microsoft® Visio® 2013, 2016, 2019 or 365 (Windows)

By default, Visio's dynamic grid is turned on as well as a number of "snap to" settings so when you move or resize shapes or connectors, the selected object(s) will automatically snap to grids, guides or other objects. You may want to temporarily override the "snap to" behavior on some occasions when you are moving or resizing objects.

Recommended: No Mouse? Using Keyboard Only Navigation in Microsoft Office (Part 1: The Ribbon)

Moving Objects

To move shapes or even multi-shape selections and override "snap to" settings, press Alt while dragging. This trick also applies to connectors but they will still snap to glue targets. Ensure that you are dragging the object(s) by a border, not a handle.

The Alt + drag trick also works in combination with the Control and Shift keys when dragging.

For example:

  • Alt + Shift + drag results in a non-snapping move of the selected object(s).
  • Alt + Control + drag results in a non-snapping copy of the selected object(s).

Resizing Objects

To resize shapes or even multi-shape selections and override "snap to" settings, press Alt while dragging resizing handles.

For example:

  • Alt + Shift + drag a side handle results in a non-snapping resize from centre of the selected object(s).
  • Alt + Ctrl + drag a corner handle results in a non-snapping resize in both dimensions of the selected object(s).

You can save a lot of time and aggravation using these simple tricks.

Subscribe to get more articles like this one

Did you find this article helpful? If you would like to receive new articles, join our email list.

Related training

Microsoft Visio: Introduction

Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced

Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced

VIEW ALL COURSES >

Our instructor-led courses are delivered in virtual classroom format or at our downtown Toronto location at 18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some in-person classroom courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca if you'd like to arrange custom instructor-led virtual classroom or onsite training on a date that's convenient for you.

Copyright 2023 Avantix® Learning

You may also like

Excel XLOOKUP Function (Overview, Syntax + Formula Examples)

Excel XLOOKUP Function (Overview, Syntax + Formula Examples)

The XLOOKUP function is a replacement for Excel's traditional VLOOKUP function (as well as HLOOKUP and INDEX / MATCH functions). It has a new set of arguments and is available in Excel 2021 and 365. It allows you to look up a value from an array in a range or table and return one or more results. One of the primary benefits of XLOOKUP is that it can look up from columns to the left in a data set and return a range.

How to Use Go to Special in Excel to Find, Select, Replace and Format Data

How to Use Go to Special in Excel to Find, Select, Replace and Format Data

You can use Go To Special in Excel to quickly find and select cells of a specific type within your worksheet. It only selects cells in the current worksheet, not the entire workbook. Go To Special also searches within the selected range if a range has been selected. You can find many useful things using the Go To Special dialog box including formulas, constants, blanks, visible cells and conditional formatting. After you select multiple cells with Go To Special, you can enter data in the selected cells by pressing Ctrl + Enter or by applying formatting.

How to Lock Cells in Excel (3 Ways)

How to Lock Cells in Excel (3 Ways)

It's easy to lock and protect cells in Microsoft Excel to prevent users from changing data or formulas. This involves a two-step process …

Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Microsoft Office and related Microsoft applications and logos are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in Canada, US and other countries. All other trademarks are the property of the registered owners.

Avantix Learning |18 King Street East, Suite 1400, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5C 1C4 | Contact us at info@avantixlearning.ca

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This