Layout Toolbar in the Report Designer

The layout toolbar is used to arrange the various report element within a band of the report. Some buttons activate when one element is selected; the others activate when multiple elements are selected:

Table 12-7: Understanding Layout Toolbar Buttons

Element

Image

Description

To Grid

Aligns the selected element to the grid intersection closest to the top-left corner of the element.

Left Align

Aligns the left edges of the selected elements to the element that was first selected.

Note: See Arranging Objects on the Page for details on using the alignment buttons.

Vertical Center Align

Aligns the selected elements at their vertical center to the element that was first selected.

Note: See Arranging Objects on the Page for details on using the alignment buttons.

Right Align

Aligns the right edges of the selected elements to the element that was first selected.

Note: See Arranging Objects on the Page for details on using the alignment buttons.

Top Align

Aligns the top edges of the selected elements to the element that was first selected.

Note: See Arranging Objects on the Page for details on using the alignment buttons.

Horizontal Center Align

Aligns the selected elements at their horizontal center to the element that was first selected.

Note: See Arranging Objects on the Page for details on using the alignment buttons.

Bottom Align

Aligns the bottom edges of the selected elements to the element that was first selected.

Note: See Arranging Objects on the Page for details on using the alignment buttons.

Size to Grid

Expands or decreases the size of the element to fit the nearest grid marks.

Note: See Changing the Page Orientation and Modifying the Grid for details on setting the grid size.

Match Height

Increases or decrease the height of the selected elements to the height of the element that was first selected.

Note: See Changing the Page Orientation and Modifying the Grid for details on setting the grid size.

Match Size

Makes the height and width of the selected elements the same size as the element that was first selected.

Note: See Changing the Page Orientation and Modifying the Grid for details on setting the grid size.

Distribute Horizontally

This option is used when three or more elements have been selected. It arranges the elements between the left-most and right-most selected elements and spreads them out an equal distance along the horizontal plane.

Increase Horizontal Space

Increases the spacing of two or more elements along the horizontal plane. All but the last element selected are nudged one grid space apart.

Decrease Horizontal Space

Decreases the spacing of two or more elements along the horizontal plane. All but the last element selected are nudged one grid space closer.

Remove Horizontal Space

Gets rid of all the space between the selected elements along the horizontal plane. All elements are moved towards the left-most selected element.

Distribute Vertically

This option is used when three or more elements have been selected. It arranges the elements between the top-most and bottom-most selected elements and spreads them out an equal distance along the vertical plane.

Increase Vertical Space

Increases the spacing of two or more elements along the vertical plane. All but the last element selected are nudged one grid space apart.

Decrease Vertical Space

Decreases the spacing of two or more elements along the vertical plane. All but the last element selected are nudged one grid space closer.

Remove Vertical Space

Gets rid of all the space between the selected elements along the vertical plane. All elements are moved towards the top-most selected element.

Center Horizontally

Centers the element within the band along the horizontal plane. When two or more elements are selected, it treats them as one object – centering the group within the band.

Center Vertically

Centers the element within the band along the vertical plane. When two or more elements are selected, it treats them as one object – centering the group within the band.

Bring to Front

Changes the order of the element to the front-most. When elements overlap, this one will appear on top.

Send to Back

Changes the order of the element to the back-most. When elements overlap, this one will appear on the bottom.