Storyline 3: Using the Size and Position Window

The Size and Position window lets you control an object’s height, width, rotation, scale, crop, and location. You can also add alternate text and closed captions.

• Accessing the Size and Position Window
• Sizing, Rotating, and Cropping Objects
• Positioning Objects
• Adding Alternate Text to Objects
• Importing Closed Captions for Narration and Videos

Accessing the Size and Position Window

Select the object you want to customize, then use any of the following methods to open the Size and Position window.

• Press Ctrl+Shift+Enter on your keyboard.
• Go to the Format tab on the ribbon and click the arrow in the lower right corner of the Size group.
• Right-click the object and choose Size and Position.

When the Size and Position window appears, click the tabs along the left edge to set your options. See below for details.

Sizing, Rotating, and Cropping Objects

 

Height Width	Enter the height and width in pixels. If the Lock aspect ratio box is marked, the width will automatically adjust when you change the height—and vice versa—to maintain the object’s proportions. (Another way to quickly change an object’s size is to go to the Format tab on the ribbon, then enter values in the Height and Width fields.)
Rotation	Enter a rotation value in degrees. A positive number rotates the object clockwise; a negative number rotates it counterclockwise. (Another way to rotate an object is to drag its rotation handle.)
Scale Height Scale Width	Use these fields to adjust the size of the object using percentages (of the original size). If the Lock aspect ratio box is marked, the scale width will automatically adjust when you change the scale height—and vice versa—to maintain the object’s proportions.
Lock aspect ratio	Mark this box to maintain the object’s proportions when resizing. It's enabled by default for pictures, screenshots, characters, and videos.
Crop from	Use these fields to crop the object by a specific number of pixels. The cropping options are only available for pictures, screenshots, and characters. (Another way to crop an object is to go to the Format tab on the ribbon, click Crop, then drag the black cropping handles that appear on the edges of the object.)
Reset	Click this button to reset the object to its original size. This option is only available for pictures, screenshots, characters, and videos.

Positioning Objects

Although it's easy to move an object on your slide just by dragging it, sometimes you need more control over its exact position.

Select the Position tab on the left edge of the window, then enter pixel values in the Horizontal and Vertical location fields. Use the From selectors to choose a relative location.

Adding Alternate Text to Objects

Use the Accessibility tab on the left edge of the window to set accessibility options for screen readers and keyboard navigation.

By default, screen readers announce each object on the slide according to its name in the timeline panel. Here are two ways to modify this behavior:

• Object is visible to accessibility tools: This box is marked for all objects by default. Uncheck it if you don’t want the selected object to be detected by screen readers or part of the keyboard navigation. For example, if you have objects on the slide that don't contribute to the meaning of the content, such as aesthetic elements (rectangles, lines, etc.), it's a good idea to uncheck this box for those objects.
• Alternate text: If you'd like screen readers to use a description that's different from what appears in the timeline panel, enter that alternate text here.

Another way to add or edit alternate text is to use the Tab Order window.

Importing Closed Captions for Narration and Videos

Also on the Accessibility tab, you can import, delete, and export closed captions for audio tracks and videos. Just click the icons to the right of Captions.

To learn more about working with closed captions, see this detailed user guide and this video tutorial.