Using graphic rulers and ruler gridlines

Contents > Editing objects on layouts > Using tools to precisely position objects > Using graphic rulers and ruler gridlines

Using graphic rulers and ruler gridlines

You can use graphic rulers and ruler gridlines to help you align and position objects precisely on a layout.

Graphic rulers: Showing the graphic rulers displays a horizontal and vertical ruler along the edge of a layout. Guide lines on each ruler track the position of the pointer as you move the pointer on the layout

Ruler gridlines: Showing ruler gridlines displays a dotted-line grid on a layout that you can use for positioning objects. Ruler gridlines do not print, but they do adjust when you change the unit of measure of the graphic rulers.

Empty layout showing graphic rulers, guide lines, and ruler gridlines

To show and hide graphic rulers and ruler gridlines:

Do one or more of the following:

Do this

Show the graphic rulers

In Layout mode, choose View menu > Graphic Rulers.

Hide the graphic rulers

Choose View menu > Graphic Rulers again.

Show ruler gridlines

In Layout mode, choose View menu > Ruler Lines.

Hide ruler gridlines

Choose View menu > Ruler Lines again.

To change the ruler's unit of measure:

1.	In Layout mode, choose Layouts menu > Set Rulers.

2.	In the Set Rulers dialog box, for Units, choose a unit of measure.

The unit of measure you choose affects the graphic rulers and gridlines, text ruler, and the Info palette.

Note The Grid spacing option in this dialog box affects the object grids, not the visible ruler gridlines. For more information, see Using the object grids.

Click OK.

FileMaker Pro saves the unit of measure with the document. Each ruler and gridline increment measures the following amount of space:

With this unit of measure

Each ruler increment measures

Each gridline measures

Inch (in)

1/8 inch

1 inch

Centimeter (cm)

.25 centimeters

1 centimeter

Pixel (px)

10 pixels

100 pixels

Notes

You can temporarily change the unit of measure used by the graphic rulers, ruler gridlines, and text ruler by clicking the box in the upper-left corner of the document window where the horizontal and vertical graphic rulers meet.

Ruler gridlines have no snap-to properties.

Contents > Editing objects on layouts > Using tools to precisely position objects > Using graphic rulers and ruler gridlines