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StefanD2207
StefanD2207
Participating Frequently
May 27, 2026
Answered

InDesign 21.4 Bug: Unable to Move Multiple Selected Objects When Dragging Over Placed Images

  • May 27, 2026
  • 271 replies
  • 11023 views

In the latest update of InDesign when I have multiple shapes and frames on the page selected, if my cursor is above something like a rectangle with content/picture inside it, I only move the picture that is below it at the time.

 

Rather than the whole selection of objects as it used to. I tested before and after the update and it was something that only broke with 21.4. If I cursor over a solid shape object while still selecting the entire group (including the photo frame) that then moves the entire section but only if cursor above a placed fill object does it break.

 

What could possibly be happening?

      Correct answer nik.m

      Hi, we released InDesign version 21.4.1 today that includes a fix for this issues. Please check out: https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/desktop/whats-new/release-notes.html

      Please update InDesign and let us know how it goes.

      If you do not see the update in the Creative Cloud Desktop App, check out: https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/apps/manage-apps/creative-cloud-apps/update-creative-cloud-apps-manually.html

       

      Thanks, 

      Nikunj 

      271 replies

      Show previous replies
      W
      wiking45
      Participating Frequently
      June 12, 2026

      I knew I shouldn’t have updated. 

        GRAFOP
        GRAFOP
        Participating Frequently
        June 12, 2026

        I reverted to InDesign 21.3. I always save all my documents to .idml format, so I don’t have problems opening them in older versions (or other DTP applications - wink, wink).

          leo.r
          Community Expert
          leo.rCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          June 13, 2026

          I reverted to InDesign 21.3. I always save all my documents to .idml format, so I don’t have problems opening them in older versions

           

          Just in case: Opening documents in earlier minor InDesign versions doesn’t require IDML conversion. It only applies to major versions (such as 2026 vs. 2025 etc.)

          GRAFOP
          GRAFOP
          Participating Frequently
          June 12, 2026

          I have the same problem in InDesign 21.4… This was not the case with the older versions. You almost cannot move multiple objects.

          The only way, to move multiple objects is (doesn’t work always):

          1.) select all objects you want to move - or you can draw a selection rectangle around the objects

          2.) now try to move them by holding SHIFT key

          3.) if it did move the selected objects, you can try to release SHIFT but don’t release the mouse key yet. Hold it and try to move.

          The problem is, that this only works - sometime…

           

          Very annoying and because of that this version of InDesign is almost unusable.

          L
          Community Expert
          LaubenderCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          June 14, 2026

          Hi ​@GRAFOP ,

          what always should work:

          [1] Select all objects you want to move

          [2] Switch to the Free Transform tool

          Then move the selected objects.

           

          Kind Regards,
          Uwe Laubender
          ( Adobe Community Expert )

          GRAFOP
          GRAFOP
          Participating Frequently
          June 14, 2026

          ​@Laubender 
          Thank you for your reply. For now, I reverted to InDesign 21.3...

          snap_printing
          snap_printing
          Participant
          June 12, 2026

          Can’t select multiple filled content boxes and click one of them to set the Key image. Can’t select multiple filled content boxes and hold down Option to duplicate them as I drag them.

          H
          Haley2830190287bc
          Participant
          June 12, 2026

          This bug is incredibly disruptive to my workflow. The workarounds for moving objects are causing a big headache and there is no workaround at all for aligning to a key object. I am unable to do my job properly without this functionality. Please fix this bug ASAP.

            Michael buelens
            Michael buelens
            Participant
            June 12, 2026

            Had the same issue but fixed it by closing InDesign…

            and then opening Affinity 

            If you don't know, now you know
              Agent-CMYK
              Agent-CMYK
              Participant
              June 12, 2026

              We need more AI nonsense, and less BASIC functionality—such as moving more than one object at a time.

              And then, leave the application broken for 2 weeks (so far).

              Oh wait, they did that—THANK YOU!

                paulflong
                paulflong
                Inspiring
                June 12, 2026

                the AI bloat is for sure ruining these programs.

                  HWK290
                  HWK290
                  Participant
                  June 12, 2026

                  This needs to be fixed yesterday. Absolutely intolerable bug. 

                    NighthawkStudio
                    NighthawkStudio
                    Participant
                    June 12, 2026

                    Not ideal, but the better workaround I found to move the multiple objects freely is to:

                    1. Select Tool each object using Shift key
                    2. Switch to Free Transform Tool (keyboard shortcut E)
                    3. Then move wherever you want without needing to group things together

                    Reiterating what everyone is saying though, this is a bug that simply should not exist and is baffling that Adobe have missed it.

                      S
                      Susan H
                      Known Participant
                      June 12, 2026

                      Thank you so so very much!  This has been driving me nuts and yours is the only solution that works! 👍

                      thomas_tiedtke
                      thomas_tiedtke
                      Participant
                      June 12, 2026

                      For a bug like that, Adobe is simply too expensive

                        MadeByDuncan
                        MadeByDuncan
                        Participant
                        June 12, 2026

                        Dear Adobe,

                        Please can you consult designers and other professionals who rely on your products before making (in this instance, stupid) changes to your software. ‘If it ain’t broke, then break it… then fix it’ is not how the saying goes.

                        Alternatively, if you want to focus on hobbyists, that’s fine, but I’ll just go elsewhere (is Quark still a thing?).

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