OFF97: "Lock Aspect Ratio" Checkbox Doesn't Always Work

MORE INFORMATION

The aspect ratio is defined as the ratio of the width of an object to its height.

When you select a drawing object or AutoShape, eight small squares called handles appear around the object. The four squares at the corners of the rectangle that contain the object are the corner handles. The four handles at the centers of the edges of the rectangle are the edge handles.

In the programs listed at the beginning of this article, you can lock the aspect ratio of a drawing object or AutoShape. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click the drawing object or AutoShape. On the shortcut menu, click Format AutoShape.
2. Click the Size tab.
3. Click to select the Lock Aspect Ratio check box.
4. Click OK.

After you do this, if you then resize the object using a corner handle, the aspect ratio of the object is preserved. You can change the size of the object, but its overall shape is not changed.

However, if you resize an object using an edge handle, the aspect ratio of the object is changed, even if the Lock Aspect Ratio check box is selected.