How to Distribute Objects Evenly in Google Slides
Short Answer
How do you distribute objects evenly in Google Slides?
Select three or more objects, then click Arrange › Distribute and pick a direction. Google Slides evens out the space between them. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then A D H.
Add to Chrome (14 Days Free)In ShortieCuts' key-tip menu: Arrange › Distribute Horizontally. On a Mac, press Option instead of Alt.
Using the Menus
- Select three or more objects.
- At the top, click Arrange › Distribute.
- Pick the direction to space them out.
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Slides has no shortcut for this.
The PowerPoint-Style ALT Shortcut
- Add the ShortieCuts extension to Chrome and open any Google Slides presentation.
- Select three or more objects.
- Press Alt (or Option on Mac). PowerPoint-style key-tips appear.
- Press A, D, then H. ShortieCuts runs “Distribute Horizontally”.
| Keys | Also in ShortieCuts |
|---|---|
| Alt ADV | Distribute VerticallyArrange key-tips |
| Alt JDAAH | Distribute HorizontallyShape Format key-tips |
| Alt JDAAV | Distribute VerticallyShape Format key-tips |
When the ALT route helps: Spacing out a row of boxes is something you repeat a lot when building slides. Alt, A, D, H (or V for a column) does it without leaving the keyboard.
More Google Slides How-Tos
| Keys | How To |
|---|---|
| Alt DX | Delete SlideBuilt-in: Delete or Backspace |
| Alt NV | Insert a Video |
| Alt GH | Change Theme |
| Alt WN | Speaker NotesBuilt-in: Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S |
| Alt HR | Find and ReplaceBuilt-in: Ctrl + H |
| Alt SH | Skip Slide |
FAQ
Is there a keyboard shortcut to distribute objects evenly in Google Slides?
Google's keyboard shortcut list for Google Slides doesn't include one. Select three or more objects, then click Arrange › Distribute and pick a direction. Google Slides evens out the space between them. With the ShortieCuts extension, you can also press Alt (Option on Mac), then A, then D, then H.
Does Alt + A + D + H work in Google Slides?
Not on its own. Google Slides has no ribbon key-tips, so typing Alt + A + D + H there won't distribute objects evenly. With the ShortieCuts Chrome extension installed, press Alt (Option on Mac), then A, then D, then H, and ShortieCuts runs its "Distribute Horizontally" command.
How do I distribute objects evenly in Google Slides on a Mac?
The steps above work the same way on a Mac. With ShortieCuts, press Option instead of Alt, then A, then D, then H.
Is ShortieCuts free?
ShortieCuts has a free 14-day trial with no credit card needed. After the trial, Pro is $7.99 a month or $69.99 a year.