DesignResize and Position Fields and Areas in a Label Template

You can position text fields, images, shapes, barcodes, and layer areas in a label template that you are editing.

Tip: You can group fields and areas together so that you can move and order them as a single unit and configure some properties in common. However, fields and areas within a group are rotated, aligned, and distributed individually. If you copy and paste a group, the fields and areas are ungrouped when pasted.

Resize a Shape, an Image, or a Variable Layer

To change the size of an oval, rectangle, line, variable layer, or the displayed size of an image, use one of the following procedures.

Note: Resizing an image by using these procedures does not alter the image in the Loftware Enterprise SP library.

  1. Click a field or variable layer to resize. Drag handles appear at the corners, sides, or ends.
  2. If resizing an image in the Label view, select the Fit to Envelope check box in the Home tab.
  3. Drag the handles to change the size.

Note: By default, images maintain proportionality when you change their sizes. To disproportionately resize an image, clear the Lock Aspect Ratio check box in the Home tab.

  1. Click a field or a variable layer to resize.
  2. If resizing an image in the Label view, select the Fit to Envelope check box in the Home tab.
  3. In the Size ribbon group of the Arrange tab, adjust the Width and Height properties.

Resize a Text Field

To change the size of a text field, use one of the following procedures.

  1. Click a variable text field to resize.
  2. In the Properties pane, adjust the Lines and Chars per Line fields.
  3. In the Home tab, adjust the Font and Font Size properties.
  1. Click a text box to resize.
  2. In the Size ribbon group of the Arrange tab, adjust the Width and Height properties.

Rotate a Field

To rotate a field, do the following. You cannot rotate a group of fields.

  1. Click the field to rotate.
  2. In the Arrange tab, for Rotation, enter the degree by which to rotate the field.

Note: Fields cannot be positioned off the label canvas. If you need to rotate a large field, you may notice that the field is blocked by the edge of the canvas. You can temporarily resize a field to rotate or reposition it.

Align Fields and Areas

You can position fields so their edges or centers are aligned with each other, or you can align a single field or area relative to the label template. You can also align some types of fields within their envelopes.

To position fields and areas so their edges or centers are aligned, use Object Alignment.

  1. Select the fields and areas to align. You can use one of the following methods to select multiple fields and areas.
    • Click and drag over the fields and areas. Envelopes appear around the fields and areas selected.
    • Press and hold the Shift key, and click fields and areas.
  2. In the Arrange tab, click one of the Object Alignment options.

    Icon

    Command

    Description

    Left

    For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their left edges.

    Center

    For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their horizontal centers.

    Right

    For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their right edges.

    Top

    For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their top edges.

    Middle

    For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their vertical midpoints.

    Bottom

    For two or more selected fields or areas, line up their bottom edges.

To align a single field or area relative to the label template, use Object Alignment.

  1. Select the field or area to align.
  2. In the Arrange tab, click one of the Object Alignment options.

    Icon

    Command

    Description

    Left

    For a selected field or area, align its left edge to the left of the label template or other object.

    Center

    For a selected field or area, align its horizontal center to the center of the label template or other object.

    Right

    For a selected field or area, align its right edge to the right of the label template or other object.

    Top

    For a selected field or area, align its top edge to the top of the label template or other object.

    Middle

    For a selected field or area, align its vertical midpoint to the middle of the label template or other object.

    Bottom

    For a selected field or area, align its bottom edge to the bottom of the label template or other object.

Equally Distribute Fields and Areas

To separate multiple fields and areas by an equal amount of space, use Distribute. You must select at least three fields or areas.

  1. Select the fields and areas to separate. You can use one of the following methods to select multiple fields and areas.
    • Click and drag over the fields and areas. An envelope appears around the fields and areas selected.
    • Press and hold the Shift key, and click fields and areas.
  2. In the Position ribbon group of the Home tab, click Distribute, and then click one of the options.
    • Distribute Horizontally
    • Distribute Vertically

Order Overlapping Fields and Areas

You can adjust the stacking order of overlapping fields and areas. Within the Label view and within the Form view, each field or area has a unique position in the stacking order.

  1. Click a field or area for which you want to change the stacking order in relation to other fields and areas in the view.
  2. Right-click the field and select one of the following options. Alternatively, in the Position ribbon group of the Home tab, click one of the following options.
    • Bring Forward: Move one step closer to the front of the view.
    • Bring to Front: Position forward of all other fields and areas in the view. If this field or area overlaps with others, this field or area appears in front of the others.
    • Send Backward: Move one step closer to the back of the view.
    • Send to Back: Position underneath all of the other fields and areas in the view except for the Body layer area. If this field or area overlaps with others, this field appears behind the other fields or areas except for the Body layer area.

Tip: You can also adjust the stacking order of layer areas relative to each other by using the Layers pane from the View tab. Drag a layer area toward the top of the list of layer areas to move it higher in the stacking order. The Body layer area will always remain at the back of the stacking order regardless of its position in the list. For more about the property controls available in the Layers pane, see User Interface: Label Design.