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Aligning, distributing, and grouping graphics

Most of the time, you can just drag a graphic where you want it to be. However, you can arrange graphics more precisely when you need to. You can do the following:

  • Align graphics with other graphics using the sides, middles, or top or bottom edges.

    The images below show the same set of graphics before (top) and after (bottom) they have been left-aligned.

    Before left-align

    Before left-align
    After left-align
    After left-align

  • Arrange graphics so that they are equidistant from each other, distributing them either vertically or horizontally.

    The two images below show the same set of graphics before (top) and after (bottom) they have been distributed.

    Before distribute

    Before distribute
    After distribute
    After distribute

  • Group graphics together after they are arranged, allowing you to move them as a group and maintain their alignment.
  1. Click the Select Elements tool Select Elements on the Draw toolbar and click the graphics you want to modify.
  2. Click Drawing on the Draw toolbar and choose how you want to arrange or group the graphics.

    Align

    Then click the alignment you want:

    • Align to Margins
    • Align Left
    • Align Center
    • Align Right
    • Align Top
    • Align Vertical Center
    • Align Bottom

    Distribute

    Then click the distribution method you want:

    • Distribute Horizontally
    • Distribute Vertically
    • Make Same Size
    • Make Same Width
    • Make Same Height
    • Fit to Margins
    • Fit Width to Margins
    • Fit Height to Margins
    Note:
    The graphics are distributed with equal spacing between the centroid of each graphic.

    Group

    The individual graphics now form a group.

    Note:
    You can also group graphics that are already grouped.

    Ungroup

    Each graphic formerly in the group is now independent.

Tip:
When you have more than one graphic selected, the blue handles indicate the dominant graphic, or the one that ArcMap will use to align other graphics. To change the dominant graphic, hold down the CTRL key and click the selected graphic that you want to be the dominant one.

Related topics

  • About adding graphics and modifying their properties
  • Moving, rotating, and ordering graphics

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