# Position and align elements

To move an element around the page, click on the element and drag the mouse around while holding down the mouse button. The element will follow.

The following tasks describe more precise movement and alignment options

You can position elements on a page using x and y coordinates.

1. Click an element to select it or select multiple elements.
2. In the Format sidebar, click the Arrange tab.
3. Enter X and Y values in the Position fields.

   The value for X is measured from the page's left edge to the element's upper-left corner.

   The value for Y is measured from the page's top edge to the element's upper-left corner.

When you drag an object, its x and y coordinates are displayed.

You can move an element one point at a time to more precisely position it on the page.

1. Click an element to select it.
2. Do any of the following:
   1. Move an element one point: Press an arrow key.
   2. Move an element ten points: Hold down the Shift key while you press an arrow key.

   Tip: You can select multiple elements, then move them at the same time.

You can align elements so they line up along a vertical or horizontal axis.

1. Click an element to select it or select multiple elements.
2. In the Format sidebar, click the Arrange tab.
3. Click the Align pop-up menu and choose an option.

   If two or more elements are selected, the elements align to the elements most in the direction you selected. For instance, if you align three objects to the left, the element that’s farthest to the left doesn’t move, and the other objects align to it.

You can position objects so there is equal spacing between them on a horizontal or vertical axis, or on both axes.

1. Select three or more objects.
2. In the Format sidebar, click the Arrange tab.
3. Click the Distribute pop-up menu, then choose an option:
   - Horizontally: Objects are spaced equally along a horizontal axis.
   - Vertically: Objects are spaced equally along a vertical axis.

Tip: You can open the Arrange controls in a separate window that you can move anywhere. Choose View > Show Arrange Tools (from the View menu at the top of your screen, not from the View menu in the toolbar).

Tip: If you would like to layout panels so that they are evenly spaced and sized you can enable the grid feature. Choose View > Show Grid (from the View menu at the top of your screen) to reveal the grid and Choose Arrange > Snap Panels to Grid (from the Arrange menu at the top of your screen) to enable panel snapping.

Note: If panels are rotated to a non-90° angle the panel will not snap to the grid.

## See also

Use rulers

Use alignment guides

Layer, group, lock and pin objects