Grouping Drawing Objects

After you have worked on a document for a while, you will find that you may have added quite a few objects to it. Some of these objects just naturally go together to create other objects. For instance, you might have a few graphic objects used to create a larger image; these naturally go together.

Word lets you group objects together so they can be treated as a single object by the program. In this way, you can select an entire collection of objects with the same ease you would use in selecting one. To group objects together, follow these steps if you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007:

1. Make sure the Drawing toolbar is displayed.
2. Select all the objects that belong in the group.
3. Choose the Group option from the Draw menu on the Drawing toolbar.

There is no Drawing toolbar in Word 2007, so the steps are slightly different. Follow these:

1. Select all the objects that belong in the group.
2. Select the Format tab on the ribbon.
3. In the Arrange group, click the Group option. A drop-down list appears.
4. Choose Group from the drop-down list.

There may come a time when you need to ungroup the objects. For instance, you may need to update one of the elements that make up your group. To ungroup objects, follow these steps if you are using a version of Word prior to Word 2007:

1. Make sure the Drawing toolbar is displayed.
2. Select the grouped object.
3. Choose the Ungroup option from the Draw menu on the Drawing toolbar.

Again, there is no Drawing toolbar in Word 2007, so follow these steps, instead:

1. Select the grouped object.
2. Select the Format tab on the ribbon.
3. In the Arrange group, click the Group option. A drop-down list appears.
4. Choose Ungroup from the drop-down list.