Participating Frequently

Question

Arrow keys to move objects not working after using Align on the Properties panel - Ai 29.7.1

Forum|Forum|6 months ago
August 6, 2025
5 replies
4174 views

Buggy! I cannot move grouped text boxes to the left or right using my Apple keyboard.

When I select two text boxes, center them, then group them, the arrow keys on my keyboard will not work! Only when I ungroup the text boxes, am I able move them individually left or right via the keyboard arrows. Can you please fix this bug? Driving me bonkers and slowing down my work flow. I'm using the newest AI version 29.7.1 on a Mac Mini M4pro.

Bug

Y

Yoyodyne2112

Inspiring

Illustrator 29.7.1 (64 bit)
OS: Windows
Version: 11.0
Process Architecture: x86_64
Built-In Memory: 32482 MB

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Found another issue that was causing some frustration until I was able to figure out the cause. Now it's just an annoyance that's adding extra steps to frequently used processes.

Normally, when selecting a group of nodes (part of one or several different lines) that need to be aligned, I used to be able to make a selection, perform the alignment function, and then immediately continue working with that group, moving, rotating, etc.. But recently, the selection is locked as soon as the alignment process is complete. It's not possible to continue working with that selection. If I try to move the group by using the directional buttons and the snap function, the group remains in its original position until I reselect the group of nodes. Only then will the selection respond to movement commands.

Would the developers please make a concerted effort to maintain some consistency in app functionality and operation as new features are added. I believe that's not too much to ask, and should already be a primary consideration for software that is, and claims to be, an industry standard.

creative explorer

Community Expert

@Yoyodyne2112 it's a known bug for the recent update for 29.7.1! Some users have reported that the bug is more prevalent when using the align functions in the Properties panel as opposed to the dedicated Align panel (Window > Align). If you're using the Properties panel, try switching to the full Align panel and see if the behavior changes.

or... go back to a previous version...eck!

m

J

Julz_RulzAuthor

Participating Frequently

I have the same problem! Adobe Illustrator: When two items are grouped and then aligned center, I cannot move them with arrows on keyboard. This is a bug, just started happening within the last few weeks or so.

Mac Mini: M4 Pro

IOS: Sequoia 15.6

Adobe Illustator: 29.7.1

Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello everyone,

I was able to replicate this problem and have reported it to the product team for further investigation. I will update this thread as I have more info.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.
Anubhav

Meenakshi Negi

Community Manager

Hi Julz_Rulz,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry about the trouble caused.

As mentioned above, you are not able to move the boxes using the arrow keys when selecting multiple boxes at once. Is that correct? Could you please share the screen recording of the steps you use and how the boxes are selected as a group?

Please share the current Acrobat and OS version numbers on your Mac mini. We will try to replicate this behavior for further investigation.

Feel free to let us know if you need any help.

Thanks,

Meenakshi

J

Julz_RulzAuthor

Participating Frequently

Adobe Illustrator: Per the video attached, when two items are grouped and then aligned center, I cannot move them with arrows on keyboard. This is a bug, just started happening within the last few weeks or so.

Mac Mini: M4 Pro

IOS: Sequoia 15.6

Adobe Illustator: 29.7.1

Screen_Recording_2025-08-14_at_2-19-34 PM.zip

kglad

Community Expert

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from using the community bugs">

J

Julz_RulzAuthor

Participating Frequently

Yes, I did look there but did not find anything relevant.

H

Holton Recorder

Inspiring

Since the latest Illustrator update, I have been unable to use my arrow keys to move anything - be it text, boxes, graphics, etc. - after I click any of these Align buttons:

I have to click off everything I've clicked on and then reselect it to use the arrow keys. This is really inconvenient, especially when I have to select multiple items that I don't want to group... is there a setting I can change to fix this? Thank you!