I think your question has already been answered, but to go back to your original post and problem, the following is an explicit step by step approach to achieve your goal.

1...Create a single box with the rectangle tool and type your text and center it in the box before grouping.

2...With snap to object enabled, drag the the box to align it up against itself, but before letting go of the left mouse button click the right mouse button to create a duplicate.

3...Now just keep hitting Ctrl/D (smart duplicate) to ceate further duplicates horizontally.

4...Once you have ten horizontal boxes, select them all and repeat step 3 on all ten boxes vertically then once again keep hitting Ctrl/D to duplicate vertically.

Just another approach. Depends what you consider easiest for your needs.


Sark