Transform using the bounding box

When you select one or more objects with the Selection tool, a bounding box displays around them. Use the bounding box to easily move, rotate, duplicate, and scale objects by dragging the object or a handle (one of the hollow squares along the bounding box).

To hide the bounding box, choose View > Hide Bounding Box.
To show the bounding box, choose View > Show Bounding Box.
To reorient the bounding box after you rotate it, choose Object > Transform > Reset Bounding Box.
Selected objects before (left) compared to after (right) scaling using the bounding box