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Distribute and Move Together

Quick Reference: Distribute and Move Together

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    Seperates objects evenly or abuts them together.

The Distribute tools move selected objects to evenly space them either vertically or horizontally, with options to set the same distance between the centers, or edges of each object.

The Move Together tools move selected objects so that they are evenly distributed, and their edges are abutting along horizontal or vertical planes.

Distribute

The Distribute tools are available in the Arrange Menu and Arrange Toolbar.

In the standard Arrange Toolbar, they are presented in dropdown menus for the vertical and horizontal options:

Distribute tools Arrange toolbar

In the Arrange (long) Toolbar, the Distribute tools are each presented individually:

The Distribute tools in the Arrange toolbar

Distribute Vertically

Distribute V-Spaced Distribute V-Spaced icon creates even spacing between the edges of all selected objects in the vertical dimension.

Distribute V-Centered Distribute V-Centered icon creates even spacing between the centers of all selected objects in the vertical dimension.

Distribute Vertically Example

Distribute Horizontally

Distribute H-Spaced Distribute H-Spaced icon creates even spacing between the edges of all selected objects in the horizontal dimension.

Distribute H-Centered Distribute H-Centered icon creates even spacing between the centers of all selected objects in the horizontal dimension.

Distribute Horizontally Example

Notes on Spacing

The Distribute tools take an average of the current spacing between the edges or centers of your selected objects and move them to equalize that distance.

It is not always the case that the resulting average distributes objects such that there is positive spacing between all edges of all objects — only that the distance is even. If the amount of existing negative spacing (overlap) between objects in your selection exceeds positive spacing, the resulting distribution will also have overlap.

If large and small objects are distributed together with even spacing between their centers, they may overlap afterward, even if they were not overlapping to begin with.

Demonstration of Negative Spacing with the Distribute tools

Move Together

Both Move Together options are available in the Distribute submenu of the Arrange Menu, and by hotkey.

Move H and V Together in the Distribute Submenu

Move H Together

Alt/Option+Shift+H

Moves all selected objects so that they are evenly distributed, and their horizontal edges are abutting along vertical planes.

The last objected added to your selection is anchored in place, and all other objects will be moved relative to its location.

Move H Together

Move V Together

Alt/Option+Shift+V

Moves all selected objects so that they are evenly distributed, and their vertical edges are abutting along horizontal planes.

The last objected added to your selection is anchored in place, and all other objects will be moved relative to its location.

Move V Together

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