Revit Align command
Shortcut: ALModify
Moves an element so a chosen line or face matches a reference, with an optional lock that keeps them together.
Syntax
AL → pick reference → pick element edge → optionally click the padlockStep by step
- Type AL.
- Click the reference line, face or grid first.
- Click the edge or face of the element to move.
- Click the padlock icon to constrain the two permanently.
- Press Esc twice to finish.
Locking a wall face to a grid
AL → click grid line 3 → click the wall's core face → click the padlock. Move the grid later and the wall follows, which is how coordination changes stop becoming remodelling.
Common mistakes
- Locking hundreds of alignments, which creates constraint conflicts that block later edits.
- Picking the element before the reference, which aligns the wrong way round.
- Aligning in a view where the intended face is hidden behind another element.
Questions
Should I lock alignments in Revit?
Sparingly. Lock deliberate relationships such as a wall face to a grid. Locking everything produces constraint warnings that make simple moves impossible.
Why does Align say the elements cannot be aligned?
The two references are not parallel, or one is inside a group or linked model. Edit the group, or align to a reference in the host model.