# Moving and Positioning Elements

Elements can be grouped together, making it easier to manipulate sets of elements, and locked into position to prevent them from being moved while you work. In addition, elements can be layered (overlapped) to create the effect of depth.

Avoid dragging an element by its selection handles because you may accidentally resize it.

Here are ways to manipulate elements directly:
- To move an element, click the element to select it (the selection handles appear), and then drag it to a new location.
- To constrain the element's motion to horizontal, vertical, or a 45-degree angle, start dragging the object while holding down the [Shift] key.
- To move the element in small increments, press one of the arrow keys, causing the element to move a point at a time. To move the element ten points at a time, hold down the [Shift] key while pressing an arrow key.

TO LEARN HOW TO | GO TO
Change the order of overlapping elements | Moving an Element Forward or Backward (Layering Elements)
Add, edit, and reposition master elements | Moving an Element to the Master Page
Align elements | Quickly Aligning Elements Relative to One Another
Using alignment guides to align elements | Using Alignment Guides
Create your own alignment guides that remain visible as you work | Creating Your Own Alignment Guides
Place elements precisely by using the grid | Using the Grid
Set elements to remain together when you move, copy or paste them | Grouping and Ungrouping Floating Elements
Lock elements in place so you don't inadvertently move them | Locking and Unlocking Elements