Group Alignment

How do we make these two signs with the same template?

We can see that the content remains centered on the sign when a Symbol is present and no matter the length of each message. So how do we make this happen?

How to Set Up Basic Group Alignment

1. Create a grouping layer — The layer name can be anything (e.g., "group_1") to help you organize your work. We're going to place all of the elements that we want to be aligned as a group within this layer. In this example, that's the 3 fields "Text", "Large Text", and "Symbol".
2. Add an alignment command — Specify how you want to align (e.g., center to center) and what you're aligning to (e.g., side) with your desired offset. 
   
   
   Result - The 3 fields will collectively find their center and align that to the center of the bounding box that defines the Side.

Other Alignment Targets

Instead of aligning to the side of a sign, you can create a custom alignment reference. This rectangle acts as an invisible element that your group will align to.

1. Create a new layer called that will hold our reference object. This example is called "Reference Object"
2. Add a rectangle to define the area that will be aligned to
3. Update your alignment command to reference this custom rectangle, including any offset values you need.
   

What Can Be Aligned To?

In Illustrator objects that are higher in the hierarchy will be displayed further to the left and objects lower will be to the right.  Groups can align to objects at the same hierarchy level or higher, but not lower. That's a nonsense sentence without some examples to back it up though. 

Example 1 - This works

The group can align to the arrow because they are the same depth in the hierarchy. They are both contained by the "repeat option: text_only" layer. 

Example 2 - This works

The group can align to the column because the column's bounding box is above it in the hierarchy.

Example 3 - This does not work

The footer group cannot align to the column which sits lower in the hierarchy. The footer group is contained by the side where as the repeat is contained 1 layer deeper by the column. 

Alignment Options

You can use any standard alignment command for groups:

• Middle to top or bottom
• Top to top
• Any other single-object alignment command

Additional Features

• Works with repeats — You can align multiple objects within a repeating layer to stay centered in a column.
• Works with options — Different options can align to different reference points.

Limitations

• Layering group alignments is not currently possible e.g. a repeat that aligns within a column and then that column aligns within the side
• Aligning defined groups to other defined groups e.g. aligning Column 1 to Column 2