Participating Frequently

Answered

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

Forum|Forum|25 days ago
May 27, 2026
271 replies
10988 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

Show previous replies

H

Håvard Graudo

Inspiring

Using the arrow-keys is also a workaround. Shift + arrow keys for moving longer steps.

janb9915150

Known Participant

I am switching to the last version of InDesign for now, and to Aff*cough* *cough* in the long run. Having to use work-arounds for a basic core-mechanic WEEKS after Adobe was made aware of this bug is simply outrageous!

Probably they had some AI agent push out “fixes” that no one quality checked and now they are scrambling to get some real devs to uneff the situation.

I got work to do. Instead I search for updates, fixes and work-arounds.

janb9915150

Known Participant

Is Adobe actively trying to sabotage it’s user base? How can you eff up a core mechanic of ANY graphic design software and not IMMEDIATLY patch it???

Completely throws off my workflow and no end in sight. You know what’s in sight, though? Switching to a different company’s software.

L

LeventB09

Participant

Thank you for confirming this issue.

I can confirm the same behavior in my workflow.

Holding the Shift key while starting the drag operation over a selected image frame works as a temporary workaround and moves the entire selection correctly. However, as soon as you stop and need to move the selection again, the problem returns. If you click on another selected image frame, only that frame moves instead of the entire selection.

As a magazine and editorial designer, I frequently move groups of image frames and text frames while building layouts. Having to remember to hold Shift every time, or constantly group and ungroup objects, creates a significant slowdown in production and increases the risk of layout errors.

I hope this issue can be fixed soon, as it affects a very common workflow that worked correctly in previous versions of InDesign.

Thank you.

E

Edoardo L.

Participant

bunch of amateurs. quit playing with us!

M

MacUtopiaMojo

Known Participant

Please fix, taking me an age each time on 50 page+ documents to remember this workaround. It’s only when an image needs moving, nothing else, so why have 2 ways of doing this, how hard can it be to fix a bug thats been reported for almost a month now Adobe!! Roll out all the AI tools, but break the stuff that’s everyone’s bread and butter.

leo.r

Community Expert

@MacUtopiaMojo Please fix, taking me an age each time on 50 page+ documents to remember this workaround.

Just in case: You can revert to InDesign 21.3 until it’s fixed: Creative Cloud app > InDesign > 3-dot menu > Other Versions

M

MacUtopiaMojo

Known Participant

@leo.r yep, understand that, but why should we have to do this. Dont break the basic functionality of a tool for the sake of updates we may never use?

M

maoboran

Participant

Maybe not a bug, but they changed how we should work. Just click the SHIFT key before you start to drag. After I realized this, i feel it makes sense.

M

MacUtopiaMojo

Known Participant

But it’s not the same for all objects, just images. Try it with two text boxes or empty rectangel frames, works as it should. Only when there is an image involved does it not allow multiple select. Makes life very tedious with a 50+ page document full of small images.

PeterFromMarketing

Participant

Thank God it’s not just me having trouble with this bug. We really need to get this fixed.

leo.r

Community Expert

A known bug in InDesign 21.4:

The only real solution is to revert to InDesign 21.3 until it’s fixed (see the above thread for more info).

default8os260uw1jyu

Participant

yep, i’ll be switching back to 21.3 for the time being. that said, i read the thread above prior to making this post; it’s not really the same issue.

leo.r

Community Expert

@default8os260uw1jyu It’s part of the same problem.

Now, it appears that you happen to be the first one who somehow discovered that the key object “only registers when the cursor is just barely outside of the actual selected element." After several attempts I managed to reproduce it. But this aspect of the bug can truly be discovered only by sheer chance, which most users will never come across.

K

kraftykit

Participant

This is so annoying when you’re running a business and trying to complete document layouts efficiently for a client. I should be charging Adobe for every hour over a project I run with this slowing me down. Fix the damn problem. It’s not like Adobe is some small company. Or have they gotten rid of real people and relying on Ai to fix their bugs now to make even more profit.

artichoked

Inspiring

Confirmed. Revert to 21.3 to fix this ridiculous issue that immediately killed my workflow. Every other week, I have to troubleshoot a new issue that Adobe introduces with each upgrade. I just need to stop clicking the “upgrade” button and stay at least 6-8 months behind schedule.

Show more replies

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded