When you drag an object, the Status bar shows the change in the
objects x- and y-coordinate position. You can specify the format and
precision of this data in the Preferences dialog box.
You can make precise positioning easier by turning on the autogrid
so that objects you drag snap to preset ruler increments. You can also
place alignment guides that objects will snap to in a document.
To move an object using the Selection tool: Position the
pointer on the object and drag. If you drag as soon as you press the
mouse button, an outline of the object follows the pointer. To see the
entire object as you drag, pause after you press the mouse button, and
then drag.
You can press modifier keys as you drag objects to constrain move-
ments and perform other functions.
Moving objects using the keyboard: To move objects left,
right, up, or down, press the corresponding arrow key. You can use
the modifier keys shown in the following table to move greater dis-
tances.
You can change the default distances that keyboard keys move
objects; see When moving objects offset on page 15.224.
To
Do this
Constrain movement to 45
degree increments
Press Shift while dragging
Copy objects by dragging
Mac: Press Option while dragging
Windows: Press Alt while dragging
Leave a trail of object copies
Mac: Press Command + Option while
dragging
Windows: Press Ctrl + Alt while dragging
To move objects
Do this
1 pixel to the left, right, up or
down
Press left, right, up or down keyboard
arrow key
10 pixels to the left, right, up or
down
Mac: Press Option and an arrow key
Windows: Press Alt and an arrow key
50 pixels to the left, right, up or
down
Mac: Press Command and an arrow key
Windows: Press Ctrl and an arrow key