Layer, group, and lock objects

You can layer text and objects to create the appearance of depth on a sheet and then move objects higher (forward) or lower (backward) in the stack.

You can group multiple objects so that you can move, resize, or rotate them as a single unit. To avoid inadvertently moving, modifying, or deleting an object, you can lock it.

Layer objects

  1. Select an object then overlap it with one or more other objects.

  2. Click the Arrange tab at the top of the sidebar on the right.

    If you don’t see a sidebar, or the sidebar doesn’t have an Arrange tab, click Format button in the toolbar.

  3. With the object selected, do one of the following:

    • Move the object one increment at a time: Click Forward, or click Backward.

    • Move the object to the very top or bottom of the stack: Click Front, or click Back.

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). You can also add buttons to the toolbar for Forward, Backward, Front, and Back.

Group or ungroup objects

Tip: You can add buttons to the toolbar for grouping and ungrouping objects.

Lock or unlock objects

When an object is locked, you can’t move, delete, or modify it in any way until you unlock it.

Locked objects with dimmed selection handles

Tip: You can add buttons to the toolbar for locking and unlocking objects.