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Align and distribute objects



You use the Align panel (Window > Align) and the align options in the Control panel to align or distribute selected objects along the axis you specify. You can use either the object edges or anchor points as the reference point, and you can align to a selection, an artboard, or a key object. A key object is one specific object in a selection of multiple objects.

The Align options are visible in the Control panel when an object is selected. If they do not appear, choose Align from the Control panel menu.

By default, Illustrator calculates alignment and distribution based on the objects’ paths. However, when working with objects that have different stroke weights, you can use the edge of the stroke to calculate alignment and distribution instead. To do this, select Use Preview Bounds from the Align panel menu.

For a video on aligning and distributing objects, see www.adobe.com/go/vid0035.

Align or distribute relative to the bounding box of all selected objects

  1. Select the objects to align or distribute.
  2. In the Align panel or Control panel, select Align To Selection , and then click the button for the type of alignment or distribution you want.

Align or distribute relative to one anchor point

  1. Select the objects to align or distribute. Use the Direct Selection tool and select the anchor point.
  2. In the Align panel or Control panel, select Align To Selection , and then click the button for the type of alignment or distribution you want.

Align or distribute relative to a key object

  1. Select the objects to align or distribute.
  2. Click again on the object you want to use as a key object (you don’t need to hold down Shift as you click this time).

    A blue outline appears around the key object, and Align To Key Object  is automatically selected in the Control panel and Align panel.

  3. In the Align panel or Control panel, click the button for the type of alignment or distribution you want.
    Note: To stop aligning and distributing relative to an object, click again on the object to remove the blue outline, or choose Cancel Key Object from the Align panel menu.

Align or distribute relative to an artboard

  1. Select the objects to align or distribute.
  2. Click in the artboard you want to use to activate it. The active artboard has a darker outline than the others.
  3. In the Align panel or Control panel, select Align To Artboard  , and then click the button for the type of alignment you want.

Distribute objects by specific amounts

You can distribute objects using exact distances between their paths.

  1. Select the objects to distribute.
  2. In the Align panel, enter the amount of space to appear between objects in the Distribute Spacing text box.

    If the Distribute Spacing options aren’t displayed, select Show Options from the panel menu.

  3. Use the Selection tool  to click the path of the object you want the other objects to distribute around. The object you click will remain fixed in its position.
  4. Click either the Vertical Distribute Space button or the Horizontal Distribute Space button.