Caption alignment

[stman]

When I add a caption to my images, I want to keep the caption centered under
the image. My images are not centered on the page. They are left aligned. For
example, I have a left-aligned image that spans from the 1" mark on the ruler
(from the margin) to is 5" mark. I add a caption, center it, and move the
right-margin ruler marker to the 5" mark. The caption then sits centered
below the width of the image.

In order to avoid directly formatting the caption each time to center it, I
centered it in the Caption style. I would then only have to align the
right-margin ruler marker each time I added a caption, depending on the width
of the image. However, it seems that when you add a caption, it inherits the
alignment of the paragraph before it (the image). Since my images are left
aligned, the captions are always left aligned too, even though the style says
centered. I have to "Reapply the formatting of the style to the selection",
that useful action that Microsoft went and hid a few versions ago.

Any idea how to get the Caption style to not take on the alignment of the
paragraph before? This seems to go against the very purpose of styles.

 

[Henk57]

When I add a caption to my images, I want to keep the caption centere
under
the image. My images are not centered on the page. They are lef
aligned. For
example, I have a left-aligned image that spans from the 1" mark on th
ruler
(from the margin) to is 5" mark. I add a caption, center it, and mov
the
right-margin ruler marker to the 5" mark. The caption then sit
centered
below the width of the image.

In order to avoid directly formatting the caption each time to cente
it, I
centered it in the Caption style. I would then only have to align the
right-margin ruler marker each time I added a caption, depending on th
width
of the image. However, it seems that when you add a caption, i
inherits the
alignment of the paragraph before it (the image). Since my images ar
left
aligned, the captions are always left aligned too, even though th
style says
centered. I have to "Reapply the formatting of the style to th
selection",
that useful action that Microsoft went and hid a few versions ago.

Any idea how to get the Caption style to not take on the alignment o
the
paragraph before? This seems to go against the very purpose of styles.

AFAIK, when u add a caption with the right mouse button it assumes th
default caption style. What you could do is to use a table with tw
rows and 1 column, borders invisible. This allows accurate placemen
of your figure in the first cell, and the caption in the cell below.
The table can be defined to left aligned, and the text within the tabl
as centered, so you don't need to set the right-margin ruler marke
everytime. Does this help

 

[stman]

:

AFAIK, when u add a caption with the right mouse button it assumes the
default caption style. What you could do is to use a table with two
rows and 1 column, borders invisible. This allows accurate placement
of your figure in the first cell, and the caption in the cell below.
The table can be defined to left aligned, and the text within the table
as centered, so you don't need to set the right-margin ruler marker
everytime. Does this help?

Thanks 57. That's certainly something I can try, and I believe I did do
something similar with a table in one of my documents.

You mention that when you add a caption be right clicking it assumes the
default Caption style. That's not my experience (Word 2003), and I'm still
wondering why, and if there's a way to defeat this behaviour.

Try this in a new document with Normal stylesheet:
- Paste in an image.
- Right-align it.
- Right-click on it and choose Caption.
- Enter anything in the dialog and OK.

The caption is right aligned with the image, overriding the style. Could be
useful, but it goes against the principle of styles, so there should be a way
to prevent this. Anyone know?

 

[Stefan Blom]

Note that when you add a caption to a picture that is *not* "In line with
text" the caption will be placed inside a text box; this explains why it
appears to override the settings of the style.

 

[stman]

Hmm, are you saying that captions are on the drawing layer? I don't think
this is the case with me. I'm using Word 2003 and I can clearly just hit the
right arrow key to move the cursor from the main text, past the image, and
then in and through the caption, which wouldn't be possible with a test box.

Can you confirm?

 

[Graham Mayor]

You missed the highlighted phrase: - when you add a caption to a picture
that is *not* "In line
with text" If the picture is inserted in line, the picture and the caption
are inserted in the text layer. If the picture is not in line, the caption
is inserted in a text box.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP


<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[stman]

Oh yeah, sorry.

But my images *are* "In line with text", and the Caption style is still
overridden. Try this simple example again with a Normal stylesheet:

- Paste in an image. By default it is pasted "In line with text".
- Right-align it (just click the toolbar button).
- Right-click on the image and choose Caption.
- Enter anything in the dialog and OK.

The caption becomes right aligned.

???

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[Stefan Blom]

OK, now I see what you mean. Word is trying to be helpful, changing the
alignment of the caption paragraph so that it matches that of the paragraph
containing the picture. (Note that, in a similar way, if you add a caption
to a centered inline picture, the caption will be centered.)

What you can do is select both paragraphs and press Ctrl+Q to restore the
paragraph formatting to the settings of the style. Then add a frame around
them (there is an Insert Frame button on the Forms toolbar) and set the
desired placement options for the frame.

Alternatively, don't use a frame but create a custom style with the
appropriate left indent defined and apply the style to both the picture and
caption paragraphs.

--
Stefan Blom
Microsoft Word MVP


in message

Oh yeah, sorry.

But my images *are* "In line with text", and the Caption style is still
overridden. Try this simple example again with a Normal stylesheet:

- Paste in an image. By default it is pasted "In line with text".
- Right-align it (just click the toolbar button).
- Right-click on the image and choose Caption.
- Enter anything in the dialog and OK.

The caption becomes right aligned.

???

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