Position and align objects

You can align multiple objects relative to one another, or specify an object’s location using its x and y coordinates.

Align an object using x and y coordinates

  1. Select an object, then 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.

  2. Enter x and y values in the Position fields.

    The x value is measured from the sheet’s left edge to the object’s upper-left corner.

    The y value is measured from the sheet’s top edge to the object’s upper-left corner.

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

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).

Move an object incrementally

Align objects vertically or horizontally

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

  1. Select an object, or Shift-click to select multiple 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. Click the Align pop-up menu and choose an option.

    If two or more objects are selected, the objects align to the object most in the direction you selected. For instance, if you align three objects on the left, the object that is most left doesn’t move, and the other object aligns to it.

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).

Equally space objects

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

  1. Shift-click to select three or more 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. Click the Distribute pop-up menu, then choose an option:

    • Evenly: Objects are spaced equally along both the horizontal and vertical axes.

    • 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).

SEE ALSOUse rulersUse alignment guidesLayer, group, and lock objects