How do you move multiple shapes in word?

You must have at one time or the other used the Shapes tool in MS Word to draw objects, diagrams, etc. You would know then that it takes quite some effort and a number of shapes (lines, arrows, boxes, circles, text…) to complete one whole diagram.

Now, God help you if you have to do some document formatting which counts on you moving your diagram to a new page or new location. Will you start selecting each element to move it and rearrange your diagram? For once it may be ok, but it becomes really irritating if you end doing it often.

I have seen people taking screenshots of their own diagram to later insert it back to the document as an image. Intelligent, isn’t it? Surely, you do that because you have missed a wonderful feature that MS Word offers. Let us tell you about it. Let us tell you how you could group all the shapes elements (that make your picture/diagram) and make it a single object so that you could move them all at once.

Steps to Group Shapes Elements to Make an Object

The process may seem time consuming but it really helps in the long run. You would realize the pain of moving it otherwise.

Step 1: Navigate to Insert > Shapes and select a shape that you wish to insert or make part of the picture that you want to draw.

Press either “Ctrl” or “Shift”.

1. Then left click shapes to be group one by one.
2. Next right click.
3. Click “Group” option on the list-menu.
4. And again click “Group” on the extend list-menu.
   

Now you have succeeded in grouping these objects, and you can move them together as a whole.

Method 2: Group Objects by Selecting them on “Selection Pane”

1. This time click “Page Layout” tab first.
2. Then click “Selection Pane” in “Arrange” group.
   
3. Next on the right side of the document, there will open the “Selection Pane” where you can see all the shapes on a certain page. Press “Ctrl” and hold on.
4. And click the shape name on the pane one by one. You can see the shapes on the document page have been selected.
   
5. Then repeat from step 3 to step 5 in method 1.

Method 3: Group Objects by Using “Select Objects” Option in Word 2010

Here is what you need to know that you are unable to use “Select Objects” option in Word 2010 directly but to insert a “New Drawing Canvas” into Word document first before you insert all the shapes.

1. To begin with, click “Insert” tab.
2. Then choose “Shapes” in “Illustrations” group.
3. Next click “New Drawing Canvas”.
   
4. Then insert shapes you need on the drawing canvas.
5. Next, click “Home” tab.
6. And go to click “Select” option in “Editing” group.
7. Choose “Select Objects” on the list-menu.
   
8. Now you can see the indication on the left-down corner of the document page, such as below:
   

Just follow the lead, and click and drag to draw an area including all objects on the canvas so as to select them.

1. Again repeat from step 3 to step 5 in method 1.

Method 4: Group Objects by Using “Select Objects” Option in Other Word Versions

Actually, in all Word versions except Word 2010, you can use “Select Objects” option directly to select and group objects without inserting a canvas first. What you need to do is follow from step 5 to step 9 in method 3.

Also you can save the .docxs file as .doc file so you can select objects on document directly.

And if you try to group pictures, then you have to change the pictures’ “Text Wrapping” style into any one but “In line with text”.

Comparison

2.        You can apply this method no matter what Word version you’re using.

2.        You could miss some small objects since there are too many.

2.        You won’t miss objects since they are listed on the pane.

3.        You can apply this method no matter what Word version you’re using.

& Method 4: Group Objects by Using “Select Objects” Option in Other Word Versions

2.        You’re less likely to miss some objects.

3.        If you are not using Word 2010, then you can select multiple objects directly by drawing an area to include them.

2.        For Word 2010 users, you may need to save the .docx file as .doc file so as to select objects directly.

Keep Handy a High Efficiency Recover Tool

Basically, in modern business practices, time is money. So there is not so much time for you to think about what to do once you get files corrupted. Therefore, the best way is to keep a well-functioned Word file repair tool in place so you can address the corruption issues efficiently.

Author Introduction:

Vera Chen is a data recovery expert in DataNumen, Inc., which is the world leader in data recovery technologies, including corrupted Excel file repair and pdf repair software products. For more information visit www.datanumen.com

How do I select and move multiple objects in Word?

How do you move shapes in Word?

How do I move multiple images in Word?

How do I align multiple shapes in Word?