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A
AJ12170409
Inspiring
February 11, 2025
Answered

command + shift to drag not working

  • February 11, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 815 views

Hey all, I was in the middle of formatting a document and ran into an issue with the command + shift function. It acts like you're just clicking command and dragging. The bounding box gets bigger, but the image inside does not. I tried using com + shift + option to see if that function worked, and it doesn't either. What the heck happened?? I tried quitting and reopening, the shift+cont+opt+command when opening trick, the resetting default settings in the general preferences—nothing. Just a completely random event that started happening mid-edit. 

 

Does anyone know what's happening and what I need to do? Delete the application entirely and redownload maybe? I read that didn't help other people years ago with similar issues... so I want to avoid that if possible if it's not going to work.

Correct answer Abhishek Rao

Hi @AJ12170409,

 

Thanks for reaching out. Could you share the details of your macOS version and InDesign version? Also, if possible, please provide a screen recording demonstrating the issue.

I tested Command + Shift + Drag, and it works as expected on my end. Sometimes, macOS accessibility settings or third-party apps (like clipboard managers, key remappers, or screen recording software) can interfere with modifier keys. Try restarting your Mac in Safe Mode and test the shortcut again. Reference:
https://adobe.ly/4hxIdf0

 

Let me know how it goes!

 

^

Abhishek

3 replies

C
Cobovenman
Participant
February 14, 2025

I have this issue in Indesign 20.0.1 on Macbook Air M2 running OS 15.1.1. I am used to using shift and command key to scale content when dragging, constaining proportions and shift key to snap to horizontal/vertical guides when moving items. Something has changed!

A
AJ12170409Author
Inspiring
February 14, 2025

Honestly, restarting my computer and opening InDesign first worked to solve my issue. Have you tried that yet? I think in my case there were some third-party apps interfering with InDesign.

C
Cobovenman
Participant
February 15, 2025

I've updated my apps and restarted and, yes, this issue seems to be resolved - thank you

A
AJ12170409Author
Inspiring
February 11, 2025

Update: My shift and option buttons don't work for copying an image either.

Abhishek Rao
Community Manager
Abhishek RaoCommunity ManagerCorrect answer
Community Manager
February 11, 2025

Hi @AJ12170409,

 

Thanks for reaching out. Could you share the details of your macOS version and InDesign version? Also, if possible, please provide a screen recording demonstrating the issue.

I tested Command + Shift + Drag, and it works as expected on my end. Sometimes, macOS accessibility settings or third-party apps (like clipboard managers, key remappers, or screen recording software) can interfere with modifier keys. Try restarting your Mac in Safe Mode and test the shortcut again. Reference:
https://adobe.ly/4hxIdf0

 

Let me know how it goes!

 

^

Abhishek

A
AJ12170409Author
Inspiring
February 11, 2025

I should have refreshed before I responded. That naturally solved the problem.... haha! Thank you for helping me 🙂

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