why cant i draw a straight line or arrow in word 2013?

Anonymous
2014-01-04T08:05:17+00:00

hi

in word 2013 when I want to draw an arrow or a line it cant be straight in 180 degree in page and it is always a bit curve to up or down for example draw a rectangle and on its border line draw an arrow ( the arrow must be exactly on rectangle border line ) and you will see that the arrow is curve and is not on rectangle border.

Microsoft 365 and Office | Word | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2014-03-21T15:41:48+00:00

This is easy to recreate, but can be solved by setting the height or width to zero in the ribbon.

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  1. Doug Robbins - MVP - Office Apps and Services 323.6K Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2014-04-17T07:33:39+00:00

    See Tony Jollans' reply of March 22

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-06-10T06:21:49+00:00

    I have the same problem. I cannot draw an exactly vertical or exactly horizontal line. And If I have to extend the line and keep it straight (without inadvertently introducing a slant) I hold down the Shift key to restrain it, as in Word 2003. But this does not work in Word 2013. The line length also changes unpredictably.

    In my opinion, Word 2013 is harder to use and is a MUCH less productive environment than Word 2003.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-06-10T06:49:30+00:00

    I have the same problem. I cannot draw an exactly horizontal or vertical straight line, even if I hold down the shift key when extending it.  It is as though the line is jumping to a grid, but I have the Grid turned off.

    Possible solution:

    1. Click on a drawing object.
    2. Click on Drawing Tools. Then click Format below it.
    3. Find the Align group (look right). Click the Down arrow.
    4. Find Grid Settings.
    5. Set Horizontal Spacing to 0.01" and likewise for Vertical.
    6. Under Grid Origins, check Margins.
    7. Click OK.

    You should now be able to draw a STRAIGHT line!

    Note that the Shift key seems to be contextually controlled. If you hold it down as you START to draw a line, it will come out exactly vertical or horizontal. If you then release the Shift key, then select and slant the line to say 45 degrees, then press and hold the Shift key again and try to extend the line, it will extend only in the last direction it was set to (45 degrees in this case).

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-30T15:06:19+00:00

    I have the same problem! It's so frustrating!!! After drawing a straight line, with an arrow on the end, if I try to move it, it will just go too far to the left or right - IT WILL NOT STAY STRAIGHT AGAIN!  Never had this problem in Window 2010, 2007, etc. just this version!!! HELP!!!

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