Reporting - Align visuals in a report with Smart guides and gridlines

*** Please note, this article refers to Reporting and Analytics with Power BI. View the FAQ for more details. ***

In this article, we'll show to switch on Smart guides and gridlines in a Power BI report to ensure precise alignment and consistent spacing of visuals. This can save time by simplifying visual adjustments and help maintain a clean and organised structure, making reports more visually appealing and easier to interpret.

We'll cover:

• What are Smart guides?
• What are Gridlines?
• Steps to switch on Smart guides and Gridlines

What are Smart guides?

Smart guides appear as thin, temporary lines that activate when you move or resize visual elements. These guides help you align objects with one another:

What are gridlines?

Displayed as faint horizontal and vertical markers, gridlines provide a reference for consistent spacing and alignment:

How to switch on gridlines and Smart Gridlines in a report

1. Start a new User-created report or open an existing report
2. Select View:
   
3. Toggle on Smart guides and gridlines as required

Discover more about User-created reports

For a hands-on learning experience, explore our Deep dive courses in The Academy, and watch as Gary builds reports from scratch to meet specific briefs. 

If you prefer to start at the beginning, check out Get Started: Reporting and Analytics with Power BI. You'll begin with Power BI’s top five features, then dive deeper into each one with step-by-step guidance.

Need quick answers? Check out our FAQ, Reporting and Analytics with Power BI, packed with 100+ common questions and in-depth resources. You can also join our regular Ask Me Anything: Reporting live events, to ask your question directly to a Power BI expert. Search PWRFAQ in The Academy for real-world use cases, examples, and scenarios with User-created reports.

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