Cannot align selected objects

Question

I have a new MacBook Pro (Apr11) with Office 2011 Version 14.1.3 (110805)

In Word, I am trying to aligh selected objects (like we used to be able to do in previous versions of Office for Mac 2008 on the pallette).  I follow the instructions in the Help section.  I select the two objects, I make sure that they are "in front of text" and I try to align them using the Align button.  My only options are "align to page" or or "align to margin."  The "align selected objects" is not available.  What gives?  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Richard, I'm sorry this thread fell into oblivion. You posted on a Sunday and somehow the thread fell down in the sequence list and I never saw it again.

The way to post a picture is this: you upload it to a site and enable public access. I use SkyDrive, but you could use others as well, like Screencast. Once you post a picture there, you just drag it onto your post. This site does not allow pictures, only linking to them. For instance, I can include the Bing logo from a public place just by dragging it here:

Going back to your problem, the only way I could make the Align Selected Objects option become grayed out—and I tried various combinations of objects, like shapes, textboxes and pictures—was when only one object was selected. This also happened if objects were grouped (so that I got only one frame around them). So, your objects should not be grouped.

Else, somehow Word is not registering the selection of various objects and thinks only one is being selected. Perhaps grouping and ungrouping would fix that?

Answer 2

You need to be in Publishing View (sorry I said "Page").

Answer 3

Well, I tried to insert the screen shot of what comes up on my Mac after I hit the "Align" button, but to no avail.  Anyway, as explained in my previous response, I cannot get the "Align Selected Objects" to unghost.  This button is not active, no matter what I do to the document or the objects.

Thanks again.

Answer 4

I'll try to put the screenshot in again.

Answer 5

John and Daniel,

Again, thank you for your assistance.

Here is what I get after I select the two objects I want to align (in a table in a 2011 Mac for Office Word document) and select the Ribbon's format tab:

There is nothing I seem to be able to do to get the "Align Selected Objects" to unghost and become active.  My only choices are either "Align to Page" or "Align to Margin."

Thanks.