Evenly Distribute Objects In A Grid, Within A Square

[billyb64519385]

Super simple question.

The green boxes are in the general positioning i want, i just would like them to be evenly distributed as well (i.e. 100px padding) and inside large, the blue bordered square.

i feel like i once knew how to do this but after 2-3 hours of google searching and experimenting, i just could not find any easy answer out side of grids/grid snapping

[barbara_a]

This will take several steps:

1. Select all of the green rectangles in the first column.
2. Tap once on the top green rectangle. The rectangles should still be selected and the top one should get a heavier line around it.
3. If the Align panel isn't expanded, choose to Show Options.
4. 
5. At the bottom, type 100, and click the Vertical Distribute Space icon.
6. 
7. With the rectangles in the first column still selected, Object > Group the green rectangles in the first column.
8. Repeat for the second column of green rectangles: Select them, tap the top rectangle, use Vertical Distribute Space with 100px. Then group the second column.
9. Select both groups and click the Align Top icon.
10. 
11. Select both rectangle groups and group them. This gives you a single group of the rectangles (with 2 sub-groups).
12. If you want the 100px distance between the green rectangles and the large rectangle with the black stroke, select the rectangles. In the Transform panel you will see the width (W) and height (H) of the group. Make a note of those numbers.
13. 
14. Select the large rectangle with the black stroke. Enter the same W and H values in the Transform panel.
15. 
16. Type +200 after the W value and hit the tab key. Type + 200 after the H value and hit the tab key. 200 is twice the space between the green rectangles.
17. Select the rectangle group and the large rectangle with the black stroke.
18. Click Horizontal Align Center.
19. 
20. Then click Vertical Align Center.
21. 
22. You should end up with this:
23.