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shonacakes
Participant
February 24, 2026
Question

Distribute Spacing in the Align menu won't allow me to specify a distance. Is this a known issue in v30.2.1?

  • February 24, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 18 views

I have two objects on my artboard and I want them to be a specified distance apart.  I usually use the Align tool and then Distribute Spacing to specify the size of the gap between them but it is currently not letting me specify the size of that gap.

  1. Select both objects
  2. Click one object to make it a key object
  3. Open align panel and look at the Distribute Spacing section - the box to enter the distance is blank and won’t let me type anything

note: the vertically/horizontally distribute space buttons work fine, I just can’t set the distance

I am using Illustrator 2026 v30.2.1 on Windows 11

 

    2 replies

    Kurt Gold
    Community Expert
    Kurt GoldCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 24, 2026

    It is a pretty old shortcoming when you select the objects and define the key object while the Align panel (tab) is not active.

     

    In that case, when activating the Align panel (tab), the Distribute Spacing textfield is greyed out. You then have to first click on the key object to deactivate its key state and then again on the key object to activate it again. Then the Distribute Spacing textfield gets activated and you can specify the desired distance.

    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    February 24, 2026

    Hello ​@shonacakes 

     

    Thanks for reaching out. I tried replicating this behavior on my end, but could not. Would you mind trying to reset Illustrator's preferences as described in this article (https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/troubleshoot-preference-issues.html) and checking if it helps?

     

    Disclaimer: Please note that renaming preferences folders will remove all the custom settings, and Illustrator will launch with default settings. You can also save a backup of the folders in case you want to. The location is mentioned above.

     

    If the problem persists, kindly share a brief screen recording of your exact workflow so we can investigate this further.


    Looking forward to hearing from you.
    Anubhav

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