Group, lock and layer objects in Pages on Mac
Option-Command-G groups selected Pages objects and Option-Shift-Command-G ungroups them. Command-L locks selected objects, while Option-Command-L unlocks them.
Pages · Reviewed 2026-11-05 · Review method
Platform, keyboard and verification notes
- Scope
- Pages · macOS app; Apple Mac documentation source checks on 4 November 2026 and editorial review on 5 November 2026. No running-app compatibility test is claimed.
- Keyboard and customization
- English-language Apple documentation. Modifier and punctuation keys may differ on other keyboard layouts.. Documented defaults, not a reading of your current menu. Check the app menu and custom App Shortcuts if a binding differs; focus and selected content can change its effect.
- Review basis
- Documentation reviewed 2026-11-05 by Codex — primary-documentation and editorial review; no hands-on runtime test. These bindings were not tested in a running app for this guide.
Keyboard shortcuts for this task
| Action | Keys | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Group objects | Option-Command-G | Requires the intended multiple objects to be selected. Source ↗ |
| Ungroup objects | Option-Shift-Command-G | Separates a selected group for individual editing. Source ↗ |
| Lock object selection | Command-L | Applies to object selection, not a text cursor. Source ↗ |
| Unlock objects | Option-Command-L | Use for selected locked objects when editing should resume. Source ↗ |
| Send to back | Shift-Command-B | Changes stacking order; inspect overlap afterward. Source ↗ |
| Bring to front | Shift-Command-F | Moves the selected object in front of overlapping objects. Source ↗ |
Select objects rather than editing their text
When arranging a diagram or a page-layout composition, first confirm that object handles are selected rather than an insertion point inside a text box. Grouping is useful for pieces that should move together, such as a label and its shape. It should not be used merely to hide uncertainty about what is selected. Check the selection before applying a structural object command.
Use layers to solve overlap and locks to prevent movement
Sending an object behind another one changes the visual stacking order. Locking it is a different decision that prevents casual rearrangement in your editing workflow. If a shape appears missing after a layering command, inspect whether it is simply behind a larger object. If an object cannot be adjusted, inspect its lock state rather than immediately recreating it.
Build a harmless two-object arrangement
Create two simple shapes in a practice document, overlap them, and compare sending one to the back with bringing it to the front. Group them, move the group, then ungroup and inspect the pieces. Finally lock and unlock the intended object. This exercise focuses on object selection and structure; text formatting shortcuts are not substitutes for these arrangement commands.
Sources and corrections
- Keyboard shortcuts for Pages on Mac — Apple Support — checked 2026-11-04
Found a mismatch? Email pashaseenainc@gmail.com with your app version, macOS version, keyboard layout and the command. Please leave personal document names out.
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