Align or distribute features

The alignment and distribution tools align the edges or centers of features, or distributes them equally. You can align features relative to each other or to a specified reference location. These commands are available with the Move tool Move when you right-click the map.

To align or distribute features, complete the following steps:

  1. On the Edit tab, choose your snapping preferences, and show the Modify Features pane.
    1. In the Snapping group, click the Snapping drop-down menu List By Snapping and enable your snapping preferences.
    2. In the Features group, click Modify Modify Features.
  2. In the pane, expand Alignment, and click Move Move.
    • To exit the tool, press Esc.
  3. Click Select Active Select, and select the features.
    • To refine the selection, right-click a feature in the tree view, and click Unselect Clear Selected or Only Select This List By Selection.
      Context menu
  4. Right-click and click the corresponding command.

    Set Reference Set Origin and Rotation

    Sets an alternative location to which the selected features are aligned.

    Align Left Align Left

    Aligns the selected features to the left

    Align Center Align Center

    Aligns the selected features to the horizontal center

    Align Right Align Right

    Aligns the selected features to the right

    Align Top Align Top

    Aligns the selected features to the top.

    Align Middle Align Middle

    Aligns the selected features to the vertical center

    Align Bottom Align Bottom

    Aligns the selected features to the bottom

    Distribute Horizontally Distribute Horizontally

    Distributes the selected features horizontally so that there is an equal amount of space between their edges

    Distribute Vertically Distribute Vertically

    Distributes the selected features vertically so that there is an equal amount of space between their edges

    Distribute Horizontal Centers Distribute Horizontal Centers

    Spaces the center points of the selected features equally in the horizontal direction. The two outside elements remain stationary

    Distribute Vertical Centers Distribute Vertical Centers

    Spaces the center points of the selected features equally in the vertical direction. The two outside elements remain stationary


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