Working with the layout tools

For each type of object you work with in Layout mode, you use the layout tools in the status toolbar.

Layout tools

Tool

Tool name

Related topic

Selection tool

Selection tool

Editing objects, layout parts, and the layout background

Text tool

Text tool

Adding text to a layout

Line tool

Line tool

 

Rectangle tool

Rectangle tool

 

Rounded rectangle tool

Rounded Rectangle tool

 

Oval tool

Oval tool

 

Edit box tool

Edit Box tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Drop-down list tool 

Drop-down List tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Pop-up menu tool

Pop-up Menu tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Checkbox set tool 

Checkbox Set tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Radio button set tool

Radio Button Set tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Drop-down calendar tool

Drop-down Calendar tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Concealed edit box tool

Concealed Edit Box tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Button tool

Button tool

Defining or changing a button

Popover button tool

Popover Button tool

Adding a popover

Button bar tool

Button Bar tool

Defining or changing a button bar

Tab control tool

Tab Control tool

Adding a tab control

Slide control tool

Slide Control tool

Adding a slide control

Portal tool

Portal tool

Creating portals to display related records

Chart tool

Chart tool

Creating charts from data

Web viewer tool

Web Viewer tool

Working with web viewers on layouts

Field tool

Field tool

Placing and removing fields on a layout

Part tool

Part tool

Adding a layout part

Format painter tool

Format Painter tool

Copying formatting attributes in layouts

As you are designing a layout, you can work with a tool once, use it repeatedly, or switch between the tool last used and the Selection tool.

To work with layout tools:

To

Do this

Use a tool once

Click a tool to select it.

Keep a tool selected, or locked

Double-click a tool.

Note  You can specify a preference to keep layout tools locked. See Setting layout preferences.

Switch between the tool last used and the Selection tool Selection tool

Press Ctrl+Enter or Enter on the numeric keypad (Windows) or press Enter (macOS).

Select a tool that includes an arrow

Windows: Click the arrow to display additional tools, then choose the tool you want.

macOS: Click and hold the tool to display additional tools, then choose the tool you want.

Create an object that is constrained to a certain angle or shape (for example, draw a circle with the Oval tool, or create a square tab control)

Select the tool, and press Ctrl (Windows) or Option (macOS) as you create the object on the layout.

Create a horizontal or vertical line

Select the line tool, and press Shift as you draw the line on the layout.