Gradient Fill is either bugged or unintuitive.

[underwatersubmarine]

Assistance gratefully received.

[mccoytest]

You didn't have your text selected [ just 'v' for arrange ] . What you were doing is creating a shape [the bold rectangle shape] with the same style used for your text. If you had autoselect turned on and clicked on your text it would be ready to drag/move. You have to look at your menu to make sure you are where you want to be - or use the proper kbd shortcut to put you doing what you want to do.