Tools and shortcuts

Grunt includes workflow tools that help you align, resize, distribute, and edit objects faster than native PowerPoint alone.

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Workflow tools

Legacy support guidance groups these tools together:

• Alignment tools align selected objects to a reference object.
• Distribute creates equal spacing between objects.
• Swap exchanges the position of two objects.
• Stack removes the space between selected objects.
• Arrange changes object order in front of or behind other objects.
• Same size matches width, height, or both to a reference object.
• Autofit controls how text boxes and shapes react to text growth.
• Shape margin sets internal margins on shapes.
• Select similar finds matching objects by shared properties.
• Sticky Notes adds slide-level comments.
• Set proofing language changes proofing language across shapes and text boxes.

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Use Smart Selection

Smart Selection enhances the native PowerPoint selection experience. Key capabilities include:

• Tidy up to align and distribute objects with one click
• Smart spacing to drag the distance between objects while keeping alignment
• Smart resizing to resize several objects together while preserving spacing

Smart Selection must be turned on in the Grunt ribbon. A pink marker identifies the current reference object in the selection. Press Esc if you want to disable Smart Selection for just the current selection.

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Common tool patterns

Most workflow tools follow the same model:

1. Select the objects you want to change.
2. If needed, choose the reference object inside the selection.
3. Run the relevant tool from the ribbon.

Examples from the legacy support articles:

• Use Align when you need one stable object and want the rest to move toward it.
• Use Distribute when you want equal spacing between at least three objects.
• Use Stack when you want selected objects to touch without gaps.
• Use Same size when shapes should inherit width, height, or both from a reference object.

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Keyboard shortcuts

Use these shortcuts to speed up common actions: Chart-specific selection shortcuts from the legacy support page:

• Shift + click to select a range of labels
• Ctrl + click to add or remove an item from a selection
• Ctrl + A to select all items on the same chart level

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When to use tools instead of rules

Use workflow tools when you want a one-time layout change across existing slide objects. Use Rules when you want formatting logic that stays attached to the data and updates automatically later.