Nudging Text Boxes in a Chart

[Trisha H]

Has anyone found a way to "nudge" data labels in a PPT chart? I know I can
move them by clicking and dragging but when I try to use the arrow keys (as I
do for objects) the cursor tabs to other areas in the chart. And when
clicking and dragging the labels they seem to snap to a grid and I have very
limited control over them.

Thanks for any insights!!

 

[Jaime]

No one has to "find a way", there are already several standard ways to
accomplish that. )

Turn off the "Snap Objects to Grid" (in 2003 View, Grid and Guides) or in
that same location, change the Grid spacing.

 

[Trisha H]

James, I already have the "Snap to Grid" turned off and have changed the grid
spacing which hasn't helped. When trying to move data labels in a chart
there's almost like a magnet that pulls them to the gridlines so I'm
constantly turning gridlines on and off. (Thank goodness for alt+f9!) The
control over the data labels is just not as accurate as with objects and text
boxes where cntl+arrow (left, right up, down) nudges in very small
increments. Thanks though - I appreciate your suggestion.

 

[Jaime]

Trisha,

What version of PP do you have? Moving Data Labels with the mouse works fine
in 2003 (at work) I'll try 2007 at home and report back.

There is also a setting to Snap to other objects (or something like that).

 

[Echo S]

I don't think there's a way to nudge textboxes inside charts in PPT 2007,
Trisha. You can put the textboxes on the slide itself, then you can nudge.

I know, it sucks. I'm just happy that Ctrl+Click lets us nudge the charts
themselves. It's not intuitive, but it does exist. Unfortunately, Ctrl+Click
doesn't work on the elements inside the chart -- including textboxes.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2010? http://www.echosvoice.com/2010.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx

 

[Trisha H]

James I'm using PPT 2007.

Thanks Echo I didn't think so either - I've tried many things to no avail.
And ditto on being able to nudge the charts with cntl+click!

Thanks all - I appreciate your input!
--
Trisha H

I don't think there's a way to nudge textboxes inside charts in PPT 2007,
Trisha. You can put the textboxes on the slide itself, then you can nudge.

I know, it sucks. I'm just happy that Ctrl+Click lets us nudge the charts
themselves. It's not intuitive, but it does exist. Unfortunately, Ctrl+Click
doesn't work on the elements inside the chart -- including textboxes.

--
Echo [MS PPT MVP] http://www.echosvoice.com
What's new in PPT 2010? http://www.echosvoice.com/2010.htm
Fixing PowerPoint Annoyances http://tinyurl.com/36grcd
PowerPoint 2007 Complete Makeover Kit http://tinyurl.com/32a7nx