# Arrows, groups and frames

An arrow drawn onto a shape binds to it, so it follows when the shape moves. An arrow drawn near a shape does not. This is the single most useful thing to know about Excalidraw.

Frames are the larger unit: a named region you can move, and which is useful for organising a workshop board.

![image-20260907-085308.png](https://help.gocapable.com/images/94b11c60-08e7-4cba-884d-e1ef6f7a4bb8.webp)

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## What this is for

* Diagrams you will rearrange after drawing.
* Workshop boards with several distinct sections.
* Locking a background so you stop selecting it.

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## How it works

| **Action**    | **How**                                                                |
| ------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Bind an arrow | Start or end it on a shape; the shape highlights when it will bind.    |
| Unbind        | Drag the arrow endpoint away from the shape.                           |
| Group         | Ctrl+G, and Ctrl+Shift+G to ungroup.                                   |
| Frame         | Press F, then drag. Name it, and moving the frame moves its contents.  |
| Lock          | Ctrl+Shift+L locks the selection so it cannot be selected by dragging. |

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## A few things that catch people out

* Check the shape highlights before releasing. An unbound arrow looks identical until you move something.
* Frames are for organising a board, groups are for moving a handful of elements. Do not confuse them.
* Locking the background is the quickest fix for a board where you keep grabbing the wrong thing.

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## Related

[Images in an Excalidraw sceneScreenshots and logos, embedded in the diagram.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/images-in-an-excalidraw-scene.html)

[Excalidraw keyboard shortcutsTools on the number row.](https://help.gocapable.com/diagrams/excalidraw-keyboard-shortcuts.html)

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

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_Rough on purpose._