> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.flatredball.com/gum/code/standard-visuals/textruntime/horizontalalignment.md).

# HorizontalAlignment

## Introduction

HorizontalAlignment controls the placement of the letters inside the Text's bounds. To align a TextRuntime in its parent, its XOrigin and XUnits may need to be modified as well to adjust its bounds.

## Example - Right-Alignment in a Parent

The following code shows how to right-align a TextRuntime in its parent:

```csharp
// Initialize
var leftAligned = new TextRuntime();
leftAligned.AddToRoot();
leftAligned.Text = "Hi, I am some text that is left aligned, even if I line wrap";
leftAligned.HorizontalAlignment = RenderingLibrary.Graphics.HorizontalAlignment.Left;
leftAligned.Width = 100;
leftAligned.WidthUnits = Gum.DataTypes.DimensionUnitType.Absolute;
leftAligned.X = 50;
leftAligned.Y = 100;


var centerAligned = new TextRuntime();
centerAligned.AddToRoot();
centerAligned.Text = "Hi, I am some text that is center aligned, even if I line wrap";
centerAligned.HorizontalAlignment = RenderingLibrary.Graphics.HorizontalAlignment.Center;
centerAligned.Width = 100;
centerAligned.WidthUnits = Gum.DataTypes.DimensionUnitType.Absolute;
centerAligned.X = 250;
centerAligned.Y = 100;


var rightAligned = new TextRuntime();
rightAligned.AddToRoot();
rightAligned.Text = "Hi, I am some text that is right aligned, even if I line wrap";
rightAligned.HorizontalAlignment = RenderingLibrary.Graphics.HorizontalAlignment.Right;
rightAligned.Width = 100;
rightAligned.WidthUnits = Gum.DataTypes.DimensionUnitType.Absolute;
rightAligned.X = 450;
rightAligned.Y = 100;
```

[Try on XnaFiddle.NET](https://xnafiddle.net/#snippet=H4sIAAAAAAAAA62TUWvCMBDHv0rI0waldDJfHHuQCSr4VBxuzD1Ee9qDNpHkqtOx776ksmFS2Yr4ev-73zX3o598bIZVyXukK4h4ZVCuDe-9cVuMZ6hhpUUJ_D3iKJFQFHgA3uNboVkBK-oXuJaQsUcmYcem8EFpJQlLuLl9mMuTjrifZVOVKkWNxE1ZwLxKkk5nhBEbM1Eyo0pg5CLKBTE09T4mjkMRgy1IhivbXKAEttNicyQE9JHSeFCSRFFXSpBuWQoyA23fOsGFFnofD-18jktzrj-eWF6AnWFGuQXdJcm55Nkey9jYXXEgSEz3GzDxwB5GGlTSxa4U9xdGFRVBwHixo90Q_Pq7zl1_aT8M9N_393oCA37W1sFxqp0Ff8M1PDzVxAbad3Emu8CGT3E-Ot0m3VeicZ3_80ectgRCvKitj3qonQ6Pfw0bqQOGYN9FM7pAhQdxJu67DfaPCP71DSBXFAHRBAAA)

<figure><img src="/files/yW8O63dYB92e525OoW8G" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## HorizontalAlignment, Anchor, and Dock

The Anchor and Dock methods automatically set HorizontalAlignment on Text elements to match the anchor or dock direction. For example, `Anchor(Anchor.Right)` sets HorizontalAlignment to `Right`, and `Dock(Dock.Top)` sets it to `Center`. This means calling Anchor or Dock **overwrites** any previously set HorizontalAlignment value.

If you need a different alignment than the default, set HorizontalAlignment **after** calling Anchor or Dock to override it. The following example docks a TextRuntime to fill its parent's width (which defaults HorizontalAlignment to `Center`), then overrides it to `Left`:

```csharp
// Initialize
var text = new TextRuntime();
text.AddToRoot();
text.Text = "Docked to top, but left-aligned";
// Dock sets HorizontalAlignment to Center by default
text.Dock(Gum.Wireframe.Dock.Top);
// Override to left-align the characters within the full-width area
text.HorizontalAlignment = RenderingLibrary.Graphics.HorizontalAlignment.Left;
```

The same applies to Anchor. The following example anchors a TextRuntime to the right side of its parent (which defaults HorizontalAlignment to `Right`), then overrides it to `Left`:

```csharp
// Initialize
var text = new TextRuntime();
text.AddToRoot();
text.Text = "Right-anchored, but left-aligned";
text.Width = 200;
text.WidthUnits = Gum.DataTypes.DimensionUnitType.Absolute;
// Anchor sets HorizontalAlignment to Right by default
text.Anchor(Gum.Wireframe.Anchor.Right);
// Override to left-align the characters inside the element
text.HorizontalAlignment = RenderingLibrary.Graphics.HorizontalAlignment.Left;
```


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