Cannot align objects in a drawing canvas

I downloaded Office 2010 December 29, 2010 before I realized this problem existed.  I use the draw function of Word in my profession and business (construction, engineering and architectural drafting) extensively.  Aligning and distributing drawing objects on a drawing canvas is one of the functions I use most and have used for years.  I find it unbelievable that this problem exists with the supposed latest and greatest version of Word.  Likeyagodmorris says in this forum thread, "it is like someone randomly removing the 'e' key from the keyboard".  This is a necessary and basic function for those who provide drawings and illustrations in their documents.  I have officially reported this problem to Microsoft support (in India).  I am the 9th official case regarding this problem.  The good news is that Microsoft is supposedly working on a solution.  The bad news is that cases prior to mine are up to 3 months old.

WE NEED MORE USERS AND PAID SUBSCRIBERS OF OFFICE 2010 TO OFFICIALLY REPORT THIS PROBLEM TO MICROSOFT SUPPPORT AND CREATE MORE CASES.  THIS IS A MAJOR SCREWUP AND MICROSOFT SHOULD BE JUMPING THROUGH HOOPS TO FIX IT.  PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL MICROSOFT SUPPORT REGARDING THIS ISSUE. ONE OF THESE SHOULD WORK:

MICROSOFT SUPPORT: (800) 642-7676 OR (800) 936-5700 OR**(513) 698-1051**OR EMAIL *** Email address is removed for privacy ***

PLEASE CONTACT MICROSOFT

It is a kind of workaround, but if i get it right, the grid is drawn on the page, i.e. the grid lines start from the top of the page - it is page-related, there is no local grid for a canvas. And this is bad. I draw a picture in a canvas, using grid, then I type some text above the canvas, or just re-align left/right or center the canvas on the page - and voila! - the drawing is no longer stuck to the grid. Moreover, when my object in canvas is on the grid, I check the box "Attach objects to invisible grid" and as click OK, it gets off the grid! So using the grid with canvas is tricky, best way is to finish the drawing in canvas during one session, then group the objects together and save it before it gets misplaced.

As for the topic, can you guys apply to the official MS Support? Have you tried? So that they would open a support ticket and register this as an issue, or the way they do it? Because this place is just a forum, like "self-support", there are some MVPs or other MS people here, but it is not official, just for advisory purpose.

I have tried to apply, but I use MS Office 2010 on the terms of MS Home Use Program (so I can legally use at home the software licensed by my company) and I guess my license does not include much support, so I am unable to complete the steps to get the support from MS and get some stupid message instead.

May be someone here can do it - apply for official MS Support, and get a real reply, making it clear that they admit it as an issue and it is scheduled to be fixed? Because talking here is useless, they can't hear us, or maybe they can and laugh wickedly instead of reporting/registering the issue.

Thanks Darlene. Great suggestion!

under View check the Gridline box. Thats what i use to allign and drawl lines, etc.

Darlene Stedman