How to Align and Distribute Objects in CorelDRAW

Aligning and distributing objects in CorelDRAW is essential for creating balanced, precise, and professional vector layouts. This guide outlines the fastest methods to arrange shapes, text, and images evenly across your canvas using the Align and Distribute docker, quick reference targets, and standard keyboard shortcuts.

Opening the Align and Distribute Docker

To access the full suite of alignment tools, open the dedicated docker:

  1. Select Object from the top menu bar.
  2. Navigate to Align and Distribute.
  3. Click Align and Distribute (or press Ctrl + Shift + A). The panel will dock on the right side of your workspace.

Setting the Alignment Target

Before aligning, define your reference point in the docker under the Align to section:

  • Selected Objects: Aligns elements relative to one another (by default, the last selected object is the reference object).
  • Page Edge: Aligns objects to the boundaries of the document page.
  • Page Center: Centers objects directly in the middle of the document.
  • Grid: Snaps objects to the document's alignment grid.
  • Specified Point: Aligns elements to an exact X and Y coordinate.

How to Align Objects

  1. Select two or more objects by holding Shift and clicking each object, or by dragging a selection marquee around them.
  2. In the Align and Distribute docker, choose your desired alignment:
    • Align Left: Aligns the left edges.
    • Align Center Horizontally: Aligns the vertical centers.
    • Align Right: Aligns the right edges.
    • Align Top: Aligns the top edges.
    • Align Center Vertically: Aligns the horizontal centers.
    • Align Bottom: Aligns the bottom edges.

Keyboard Shortcuts for Alignment

For a faster workflow, select your objects and press these single-key shortcuts:

  • L: Align Left
  • R: Align Right
  • T: Align Top
  • B: Align Bottom
  • C: Center Horizontally
  • E: Center Vertically
  • P: Center to Page (works with a single object or grouped objects)

How to Distribute Objects

Distributing ensures equal spacing between three or more objects.

  1. Select three or more objects.
  2. In the Distribute section of the docker, choose a distribution axis:
    • Distribute Horizontally: Spaces objects evenly from left to right based on their left edges, centers, right edges, or space between objects.
    • Distribute Vertically: Spaces objects evenly from top to bottom based on their top edges, centers, bottom edges, or space between objects.
  3. Choose to distribute elements based on the Extent of Selection (keeps elements within the boundaries of the outer objects) or the Extent of Page (spaces elements evenly across the entire page).