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_Susan_Sand_
Participating Frequently
Oct 28, 2008 1:15 PM UTC
Answered

Can't Release Anchor--HELPPP!!!

Hi,

CS3(5.0.2.640) Windows sp2

I've written about this before, thought it was solved, but it isn't.

I inserted grouped images into a numbered list, and anchored them according to instructions; first making place for the group by adding a few plain lines under the numbered item where I wanted the group, then inserting the group, then cutting it, placing the insertion point in the place I wanted the group to appear, pasting the group back, and voila...lovely anchored group. However, I've come to the conclusion that if I do that, I'd better realize it's FOREVER, because I can't seem to extricate parts of the group in case I want to change their order.

InDesign Help says to go to Object > Anchored Object > Release but my 'release' is GREYED OUT! Why? and nothing else that I've tried, works.

Could it be, that there is a frame around the entire page? I tried to delete that frame but when I try to, everything on the page isdeleted, and when I try to move that frame away, everything on the page moved with it.

I would very, very much appreciate if someone would try to answer me...it seems that I will have to repeat my work, if I can't get to the bottom of this.

Thank you so much!
      CARABARA
      CARABARACorrect answer
      Participant
      May 4, 2026 3:52 PM UTC

      Hi! This was 17 years ago so you might have solved it by now but for those still struggling.

       

      To fix this:

      Right click object > anchored object > options > position:custom

      then press okay and right click the object > anchored object > release

      View reply

      33 replies

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      _Laura_Lynn_
      Participating Frequently
      Nov 24, 2008 5:26 PM UTC
      Oh, I'm embarrassed...how do I post it here?
      Translate
      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Nov 24, 2008 5:36 PM UTC
      You don't. Try a site like yousendit.com.

      Bob
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      Peter Spier
      Community Expert
      Peter SpierCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      Nov 21, 2008 12:48 AM UTC
      Can you post the file?
      Translate
      _Laura_Lynn_
      Participating Frequently
      Nov 20, 2008 11:32 PM UTC
      Hi All...
      Along similar lines as Susan, but no happy results yet!
      I'm working in CS3 (5.0.04) on a PC. I have a crossword puzzle (originally a table before anchoring) anchored inline in my document. When I went to unanchor it, the option was just like Susan's--greyed out!

      So, I followed Peter's directions, cutting and pasting to the pasteboard to try to make my edits. But no luck. It doesn't give me table options, won't let me unanchor, won't let me select anything other than the frame that holds it, and what's more, looks like an *image* in typical display - gritty edges, etc. Which it isn't! I built it for this doc...*sigh*

      I'd love any ideas...I really don't want to rebuild this beast! Is there hope?

      Thank you all!

      L
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      _Susan_Sand_Author
      Participating Frequently
      Nov 2, 2008 9:58 AM UTC
      Hi Ken,

      Unbelievably, the update just took! ...I was running it again in order to catch the error message that always comes up, but voila, instead I received a message that installation was complete, and when I checked, there it was, 5.0.4.682.

      Maybe it knew I was complaining about it, and was afraid.

      Thanks so much and have a good week!
      Translate
      AL102
      Participant
      Oct 30, 2008 1:34 PM UTC
      I cannot upgrade my ID either. I am on 5.01 and the IT department have tried upgrading to other versions it always crashes. The IT department is either unable or unwilling to resolve the issue.

      Ensure you have all Windows updates and and closed all other applications.

      In theory downloading this file http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4030 then running the .exe will patch it.

      GL
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      _Susan_Sand_Author
      Participating Frequently
      Oct 30, 2008 12:54 PM UTC
      Sorry! I meant, mine is the only one with ID among the 50 computers.

      I'm rushing to finish something before leaving work; I'll post the error message before Monday.

      Thanks again!
      Translate
        _Susan_Sand_Author
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 30, 2008 12:18 PM UTC
        I am on a network, and perhaps it isn't set up for ID updates as you say, because my computer is the only one out of about fifty with ID in the first place. Will my IT guy know what to do?

        Thanks for answering!
        Translate
        _Kenneth_Benson_
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 30, 2008 12:30 PM UTC
        No idea, and you still haven't told us what the error message is.

        With 50 computers with ID, I'd be surprised if they weren't allowing
        updates.

        --
        Kenneth Benson
        Pegasus Type, Inc.
        www.pegtype.com
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        _Susan_Sand_Author
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 30, 2008 5:39 AM UTC
        thanks, Ken,

        but now I remember what happens...whenever I try to run that update, I get an error message halfway through that says it encountered a problem and can't continue, or something of the sort. When I choose the option to retry, I get the message again shortly afterwards.

        Do you think this is because I have other applications running at the same time as the update?

        At any rate I'm soon getting a computer upgrade, so maybe that will solve the problem.

        Thanks again everyone!

        PS Alistair of course I meant, there is only one layer.
        Translate
        _Kenneth_Benson_
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 30, 2008 12:01 PM UTC
        > encountered a
        > problem and can't continue, or something of the sort.

        I don't know, but someone else might know if you could come up with the
        actual error message. Easy enough to find out, just try to update. I
        think it would be important to know whether it's failing to download the
        update or failing to install the update.

        If I had to guess, it sounds like some kind of network issue. I have the
        free AVG antivirus program on my wife's computer. It should be updating
        itself every day with new virus definitions, but it fails periodically
        when it can't make a (good enough, maybe?) connection. Maybe something
        similar is happening to you, or maybe you're on a network, and your IT
        people don't have it set up to allow ID updates.

        --
        Kenneth Benson
        Pegasus Type, Inc.
        www.pegtype.com
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        _Susan_Sand_Author
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 29, 2008 12:33 PM UTC
        Thank you so much for the answers, people.

        Bob, I don't know how to update.

        Alastair, there were no layers.

        Peter, your solution worked!!! I thought I had tried that myself, yet when I followed your instructions, the results were fine.

        I suppose the greyed-out 'release' on Anchored Objects is a bug.

        You people are great, I appreciate you so much!!
        Translate
        _Kenneth_Benson_
        Participating Frequently
        Oct 29, 2008 1:10 PM UTC
        Help > Updates

        --
        Kenneth Benson
        Pegasus Type, Inc.
        www.pegtype.com
        Translate
        Peter Spier
        Community Expert
        Peter SpierCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        Oct 28, 2008 5:05 PM UTC
        I see the same behavior in 5.0.4.

        Here's a way to work around it. Select the anchored object with the selection tool, then cut and paste to the pasteboard. Make your edits, then put it back in the text where you want it.

        This only seems to be an issue with Inline or Above Line objects. Converting them to custom positioning makes them releasable, too.

        Peter
        Translate
          janal19359695
          Participant
          Jan 16, 2020 7:48 PM UTC

          Also, If you cut it and paste it elsewhere, you will usually see an second frame where your original frame was that it was being 'anchored' to - just delete that gohost frame and paste your object back in where you need it.

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