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Align objects using the gap tool – Adobe InDesign CS5 User Manual

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USING INDESIGN

Frames and objects

Last updated 11/16/2011

Using the Distribute Horizontal Space option and adding a value for Use Spacing

A. Creates spaces of a specified value between each object B. Changes the overall width of the objects as a whole

When you use spacing with vertical distribution, selected objects are spaced from top to bottom, starting with the top-
most object. When you use spacing with horizontal distribution, selected objects are spaced from left to right, starting
from the left-most object.

You can also use the Smart Spacing feature to align or distribute objects while moving them. For example, if two
vertical objects are 12 points apart, moving a third object 12 points below the second object causes temporary guides

to appear, allowing you to snap the object into alignment.

More Help topics

Use smart guides

” on page 61

Align objects using the Gap tool

” on page 427

Align objects using the Gap tool

The Gap tool provides a quick way to adjust the size of a gap between two or more objects. It also lets you resize several
objects that have commonly aligned edges simultaneously, while keeping the gaps between them fixed. It’s a one-step
way to adjust your layout by directly manipulating the space between objects.

The Gap tool ignores locked objects and master page items.

For a video tutorial on using the Gap Tool, see

www.adobe.com/go/lrvid5155_id_en

.

1 Select the Gap tool

.

2 Move the pointer between two objects, and do any of the following actions:

Drag to move the gap and resize all objects aligned along the gap.

Shift-drag to move the gap between only the two nearest objects.

Ctrl-drag (Windows) or Command-drag (Mac OS) to resize the gap instead of moving it. Adding the Shift key
resizes the gap between only the two nearest objects.

Alt-drag (Windows) or Option-drag (Mac OS) to move the gap and objects in the same direction. Adding the
Shift key moves only the two nearest objects.

Ctrl+Alt-drag (Windows) or Command+Option-drag (Mac OS) to resize the gap and move the objects. Adding
the Shift key to resize the gap and move only the two nearest objects.

B

A

A