I'm having this same issue with Alt+Drag to duplicate artboards. I'm on the most updated version of Illustrator per October of 2019. So annoying. It keeps making additional huge artboards instead of duplicating the artboard

SOLUTION: go to Creative Cloud chat support and have a rep remotely log onto your machine and have them fix it in under 5 mins. He fixed my corrupted system preferences and I couldn't have solved this on my own. I'm guessing it was so quick as many MANY others were experiencing the same difficulties.

So glad I did it! Good luck!

I have the same problem, while selecting object to copy and drag horizontally with Alt + Shift, the object drags over at a 2-3 %. Very frustrating!

Joe Howell

My Shift + Alt duplicate works...but my shift and align while dragging DOES NOT!!!
Please fix!! As it's a part of my daily work flow aligning text and graphics!

Thank you!

Same problem even after I upgraded all my apps.

using the option key works maybe 10% of the time. Re set prefs several times, no help. I've gone back to copy and paste, old school, but at least it still works in these new bug laden versions of Illustrator that keep getting forced upon us.

Has anyone found a fix? My option key doesn't function at all in Illustrator CS5.1 or CC 2018, not even use it to zoom out. I tried 3 different keyboards and two different computers. I modified the control key to function as an option key, but this is just a temporary fix. Help!

And another thing I have just noticed right now - when you attempt to perform that operation (copy object with Cmd Alt Shift + drag), the object is copied in its original place. Very unusual and interesting behavior, Adobe, but could you please fix it?

It works anyway if you use Alt and Shift only, no matter which you hit first. But it doesn't work if you have Direct Selection tool activated, and then hold Alt, Shift and Cmd, to convert Direct Selection to Selection tool. And it used to work prior to the CC versions.

Had the same problem, I contacted Adobe support and they disabled some accessibility items on the system which made that and the fit to frame (in InDesign) work perfectly again.

Thanks, Destiney, you are SO right. It was driving me nuts, I must say... now all I have to do is learn this new finger combo, gee.

Also in CC2018 my combination alt, shift to duplicate and aline does not work.

Hi
In CC2018 the combination of alt and shift to duplicate and align at the same time doesn't work at all in my iMac.
I would like to know how to fix this problem since this is very difficult to work like this.

Thanks
Avital

It works 100% of the time for me but you MUST hit Alt first then Shift. If you hit them at the same time or use Shift first it will not select it. I use the Selection tool (not direct selection) and the use Alt to duplicate. You'll notice your cursor turns from a single arrow to a double, once it does that you can hit Shift and it will align properly.

my workflow is to always use direct selection tool, and press Cmd to convert it to a selection tool. Using that with Alt and Shift to duplicate and align doesn't work at all. Also, moving the side of a rectangle (with direct selection tool) works only by selecting two anchors and dragging. When you direct select the side itself and drag, it returns to the original position.

Hi,
I used to duplicate an object by selecting it, push the option-button and drag the object. That still functions. BUT ... during dragging a duplicate I also pressed the shift-button to align the duplicate with the original. And that doesn't function anymore. When I now press the shift-button, while dragging, the object aligns but doesn't duplicate. So pressing the shift deactivate the option.
Hope its clear now.

I used to be able to duplicate an object by selecting it, push the Option button and drag the object. That still functions. BUT ... during dragging a duplicate I also pressed the Shift button to align the duplicate with the original. And that doesn't function anymore. When I now press the Shift button while dragging, the object aligns but doesn't duplicate. So pressing the Shift deactivates the option.

In CC2018 the combination of alt and shift to duplicate and align at the same time doesn't work at all