Move, align, distribute, and arrange objects

You can move objects in the following ways:

• Dragging objects with your mouse, 
• Using the arrow keys on the keyboard, or
• Entering precise math operation values (+, -./, *) in the Property Inspector

Use the Shift key to constrain the movement of one or more objects, so that they move in a precise horizontal or vertical direction relative to the current orientation of the x and y-axes. 

You can also use the Align panel to position objects in relation to each other.

Move an object by dragging

Select one or more objects, and drag to the new location.

Move an object using the arrow keys

Move an object using X and Y coordinates

Select one or more objects. In the Property Inspector, enter new values for the X and/or Y coordinates. You can also click in X and Y values and use the arrow keys to increase or decrease the value.

Move an object using math calculations

Select one or more objects. In the Property Inspector, perform simple math in any box that accepts numeric values. For example, if you want to move a selected object 3 units to the right using the current measurement units, enter +3 after the current value.

Supported math operations to calculate the changes include +, -./, *.

In a text box that accepts numerical values, do one of the following:

•   To replace the entire current value with a mathematical expression, select the entire current value.
•   To use the current value as part of a mathematical expression, click before or after the current value.

Align and distribute objects

You can use the Align panel to align or space selected objects horizontally or vertically to the selection, or the artboard.

Align or distribute objects relative to each other

Select the objects to be aligned, and click one of the following options in the Property Inspector: 

• Align top
• Align middle
• Align bottom
• Align left
• Align center
• Align right
• Distribute objects horizontally or vertically

Align an object or group relative to the artboard

Select the object or group to be aligned, and click one of the following options in the Property Inspector: 

• Align top
• Align middle
• Align bottom
• Align left
• Align center
• Align right

Align objects to a pixel grid

You can align the edge of an object with the pixel grid. To do so, XD rounds off the integer values for the X,Y,W,H properties of an element to ensure they look sharp and crisp.

To align an object to pixel grid, right-click the object and select Align to Pixel Grid.

Aligning to pixel grid does not always mean the X/Y/W/H properties will not have fractions. For lines and paths (center-stroked shapes), sometimes the X/Y need to end in 0.5 to keep the stroke crisply aligned on-pixel.

Adobe XD supports artboard grids which are different from pixel preview. Adobe XD does not support pixel preview. The default artboard grid in Adobe XD is an 8-pixel grid. You can change the grid settings to create a 1 pixel grid. For more information, see Position elements on artboards using grids.

Arrange objects

Adobe XD stacks successively drawn objects, beginning with the first object drawn.

You can also select, order, and move objects in different layers using the Layer panel. For more information, see Work with layers.

On Mac:

To move an object to the top or bottom position in its group, select the object you want to move and choose one of the options as appropriate:

• Object > Arrange > Bring To Front - To bring the object at the top of all objects.
• Object > Arrange > Bring Forward - To move the object at the top of the immediate object above it.
  
• Object > Arrange > Send Backward - To move the object below the immediate object behind it.
  
• Object > Arrange > Send To Back - To move the object at the bottom of all objects.

You can also Ctrl+Click an object, and select any of the Arrange options in the context menu.

On Windows:

Right-click an object, and select any of the Arrange options that appear in the context menu.