# Align, distribute and auto layout

A diagram where things are almost aligned looks worse than one where nothing is. Two seconds with the align tools removes most of that.

For diagrams with a natural structure, the automatic layouts do the whole job: tree, organic, and flow layouts all take one click.

![image-20260907-082121.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/9f888e2d-2154-4a0f-b13e-dab883c6178d.webp)

---

## What this is for

* Tidying a diagram before sharing it.
* Laying out a tree or hierarchy without positioning anything by hand.
* Making a set of shapes the same size.

---

## How it works

| **Action**     | **How**                                                                 |
| -------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Align          | Select several shapes, then Arrange, Align, and pick an edge or centre. |
| Distribute     | Arrange, Distribute, to space a selection evenly.                       |
| Match size     | Arrange, Size, to make a selection the same width or height.            |
| Tree layout    | Arrange, Layout, Tree, for hierarchies and org charts.                  |
| Organic layout | Arrange, Layout, Organic, for network-style graphs.                     |
| Flow layout    | Arrange, Layout, Horizontal or Vertical Flow, for processes.            |

---

## A few things that catch people out

* Auto layout moves everything. Undo is one keystroke, so try it before assuming it will not help.
* Align to the shape you consider correct by selecting it last, if the editor honours the anchor.
* Distributing two shapes does nothing. It needs three or more.

---

## Related

[Labels, links and shape dataText, metadata and clickable areas.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/labels-links-and-shape-data.html)

[Multi page diagramsSeveral diagrams in one.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/multi-page-diagrams.html)

[draw.io editorBack to the editor overview.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/draw-io-editor.html)

---

_The canvas rewards ten minutes of learning._