Override Snap Behaviour in Visio with These Simple Tricks
Posted by: Avantix Learning Team
Posted: January 20, 2017
Applies to: Microsoft® Visio® 2013 and 2016
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 + Control + 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.
Recommended Office training
Microsoft Excel: Intermediate / Advanced
Microsoft PowerPoint: Intermediate / Advanced
Our instructor-led classroom training courses are delivered at our downtown Toronto location at 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 (Toronto Star Building), Toronto, Ontario, Canada (some courses may also be delivered at an alternate downtown Toronto location). Do you want to arrange for a course to be offered at your location? Contact us and we can arrange custom training at your office on a date that’s convenient for you.
To request this page in an alternate format, contact us.
Copyright 2014-2017 Avantix Learning Inc
You may also like
3 Excel Strikethrough Shortcuts to Cross Out Text or Values in Cells
You can apply strikethrough to text or values in Excel to cross out or create a line through a cell or part of a cell. There are 3 common ways to apply strikethrough in your Excel worksheets – using a built-in keyboard shortcut, using the Font dialog box, or by adding a command to the Quick Access Toolbar.
How to Lock the Position of a Slicer in Excel
Slicers are a great tool in Excel to filter tables or pivot tables. You can lock the position of a slicer in an Excel worksheet using a two-step process. First, select the slicer or slicers and Disable resizing and moving in the Format Slicer task pane (and choose other options based on your preferences). Second, protect the sheet using the Review tab in the Ribbon. There are a few important options you’ll need to select to get this to work.
How to Expand the Formula Bar in Excel (2 Ways)
In Microsoft Excel, when you enter data or a formula, it appears in the Formula Bar. If you are writing longer formulas, it can be helpful to expand the Formula Bar.
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 | 1 Yonge Street, Suite 1801 (Toronto Star Building), Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5E 1W7 | info@avantixlearning.ca
