Change the default Align Tool behavior when only one object is selected to align to art board. This would save changing the mode back and forth.

While working using align to selection or keyed object, I will often want to align the group to the art board to center the work. This requires switching the alignment modes back and forth.

When only one object is selected, the align buttons should just change to align to art board mode by default.

OR at least make it change when I hold down an option key or something.

Would save me hundreds of clicks. Thanks!

I think this is actually a bug. Usually when selecting a single object, the align panel defaults to "Align to Artboard." For some reason, today, it's not doing that. It stays in Align to Selection mode and then the buttons do nothing. Happened after update to 23.0.4

Hello,

I find it frustration to have to switch between the different alignment options. For instance when I have one object selected and I use the alignment-tool I want it aligned to the artboard. But when I have two or more objects selected I'd like to have them aligned to the selection.

Right now I have to switch between alignment methods in the alignment window. I would love to see this implemented by default, like Sketch has!

hey, I have a problem, how can I align 2 text boxes automatically in a way that make them arranged and with a similar width?

Same idea here, hope the image helps : https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-feature-requests/suggestions/32143753-keyboard-shortcut-to-toggle-between-align-to-selec

Sure! a must have. When I select only one object, it stays as "Align to selection mode". It's obvious that if I haven't any other object selected, is beacuse I want to align it to the Artboard, not align to itself.

These few seconds searching the small icon to change the align mode are a cognitive stress in complex projects.

Seems like a logical ask. This request is different from following bug, which is already fixed.
https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-bugs/suggestions/31960840-align-to-artboard

Yes!! I've been wanting this for the last four years. I'm certain that a significant portion of the community also wants this feature. How can we get more attention for this request?

I've been having this issue for quite some time. I keep hoping it'll be fixed with each update. But I'm left disappointed. I just updated to 22.1 and still no fix. I'm really confused why you would say it's been fixed when it clearly has not.

I guess I am on the most recent public version and not the hot fix update.

Strange. It was an issue recently and users figured out it happens when you switch to Artboard tool and back, but then it has been solved.
Just have checked — mine is switching back to Snap to Artboard now, as it used to be before, as long as key object is not set.
Are you sure you use 22.0.2 and not 22.0.1? This hot fix was not automatical update.

My version is completely up to date and when selecting a single item it does not automatically select align to artboard it stays on the "Align to" option that was last selected. It just doesn't make sense that the option of align to selection is available when I am selecting only one object.

It works as you describe in last version, 22.0.2. Constantly resetting 'Align to' option was a bug and has been fixed.
Is it or not for you, please check.

It would be nice to automatically align to the currently active artboard when only one item/group is selected. Right now, the align buttons do nothing in that case.

Yes! A "smart" or contextual default that switches between align to artboard for one item, and align to selection when multiple items are selected would be a great time saver.

+1 for pulling the align to artboard and align to selection options out of the dropdown for one click access as well.

I just wish Illustrator could perform alignment operations like several other graphics programs I either currently use or have used in the past. When shift-clicking two or more objects to align either the first object clicked or the last object shift-clicked stays put an all other objects align to it. I can't stand all the extra clicks Illustrator requires of its users. And anchor point alignment is a pretty big pain in the backside. This really hurts Illustrator for technical drawing purposes. As for alignment preferences, that's something easily incorporated into a palette or toolbar. For example, CorelDRAW provides 5 object alignment preference buttons in its align and distribute palette to align objects to active objects, page edge, page center, grid or a numerically specified point. The same palette has 4 different text alignment preference buttons and a couple distribute preference buttons. This is on top of the six alignment buttons and eight distribution command buttons. You don't have to hunt through a bunch of drop down menus or preference boxes to get to any of that stuff.

I was just about to file this, again, too :) here goes:

Please make a third "Align to" setting, let's call it "Smart Align":
With a single object selected, always align to page.
With multiple objects selected, always align to selection.

And I'm totally in for the bigger / more legible icon / button for this.

I would like to have a way to more quickly toggle between Align To Artboard / Selection / Key Object. Or even a modifier key to switch the artboard option on, as the key object can be auto activated by just selecting the objec.

If the option to select what to "align to" could be a set of three buttons (selection, key object, artboard) instead of a drop-down menu it would really save a lot of clicking, you wouldn't have to open the drop-down menu then click the button every time. See my attached mock-up. Thanks!

Make the Align Objects functionality more closely resemble After Effects insofar as when you select 1element Align To Selection automatically sets to Composition and when two or more elements are selected Align To Selection is automatically selected. This 'Align Auto-selection' could be a preference.

If this isn't possible or sensible at least make the two options (Selection and Composition) both visible or bigger and not in a dropdown.