Quick answer
To lock an element on a Miro board, right-click the shape, sticky note, or frame and select Lock from the context menu, or select the item and press Ctrl+Alt+L (Windows) or Cmd+Alt+L (Mac). Locked elements stay in place and can't be moved, resized, or edited until you unlock them.
Steps at a glance
- Select the element or elements you want to lock.
- Right-click and choose Lock from the menu.
- Or use the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+L (Cmd+Alt+L on Mac).
- Locked items show a small padlock icon when selected.
- Right-click a locked element and choose Unlock to edit it.
- Lock frames or groups to protect entire layouts.
Summary
Locking lets you fix a shape, sticky note, frame, or image in place so it can't be accidentally dragged, resized, or deleted while others work on the same board. It's a simple way to protect finished work or templates during live collaboration.
Step-by-step guide
Step 1
Select the element you want to lock
Click the shape, sticky note, image, or connector you want to protect. You can also click and drag a selection box around multiple objects, or shift-click to add items one at a time, to lock several elements together.
Step 2
Right-click and choose Lock
With the element selected, right-click on it to open the context menu and choose Lock. The item will immediately stop responding to drag, resize, and rotate actions, and a small padlock icon appears in its corner when you hover over it.
Step 3
Use the keyboard shortcut for faster locking
Instead of the right-click menu, you can press Ctrl+Alt+L on Windows or Cmd+Alt+L on Mac after selecting an element. This shortcut works the same way whether you're locking one object or several at once, which speeds up prep work before a workshop.
Step 4
Lock frames and groups to protect full layouts
If you've organized content inside a frame or combined several objects into a single unit with group objects, you can lock the entire frame or group in one action. This is useful for locking a finished template section while leaving open space around it for collaborators to add new ideas.
Step 5
Confirm the lock and continue building
Click anywhere else on the canvas and try clicking the locked element again — it will select but won't move, resize, or delete until unlocked. This is a good moment to check alignment and spacing before locking, since a locked layout can be revisited with the align objects tool later if needed.
Step 6
Unlock an element when you need to edit it
Right-click the locked item and select Unlock from the menu, or select it and press the same keyboard shortcut again to toggle the lock off. Once unlocked, the element behaves normally and can be moved, resized, or deleted like any other object on the board.
Why this matters
You're mid-workshop and a teammate drags your carefully placed diagram frame out of alignment. Locking key elements—like templates, headers, or finished sticky notes—keeps your board layout intact while others add ideas around it, so nothing gets shifted, deleted, or resized by accident during a live session.
Frequently asked questions
Does locking an element affect other collaborators on the board?
Yes, locking is a shared setting. Once you lock an element, it stays locked for everyone viewing or editing the board until someone with edit access unlocks it again.
Can I lock multiple elements at once in Miro?
Yes. Select multiple objects by dragging a selection box around them or shift-clicking each one, then right-click and choose Lock to apply it to the entire selection at the same time.
Will locked elements still show up when I export the board?
Yes, locking only restricts movement and editing on the canvas. Locked elements appear normally in exports, presentations, and when the board is copied or shared with others.
Is locking elements available on Miro's free plan?
Yes, locking and unlocking is available to all board members with editing permissions on the free plan, not just paid team accounts.
Related guides
Continue with more step-by-step guides for getting work done.
How to group objects in MiroLearn how to group objects in Miro so you can move, resize, and organize sticky notes, shapes, images, and text together as a single unit on your board.
How to align objects in MiroLearn how to align objects in Miro using multi-select, the alignment toolbar, snapping guides, and Quick Arrange for clean, professional boards.
How to add a frame in MiroLearn how to add, resize, and organize frames in Miro to structure boards, group content, and prep sections for presentations.
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