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

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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?

nik.mCorrect answer

Community Manager

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

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DarrenStrange

Participant

I have this annoying bug too! Version 21.4. It is so disruptive - it’s such an impulsive thing to do: grab a few pics and move them all at once. But it drops them all apart from one! After years of doing this impulsively and now it just doesn’t work, is just beyond frustrating. Come on Adobe, it must be a real simple fix!! I bet their dev team can fix this within the hour but they just don't listen to people or respond enough.

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wiking45

Participating Frequently

I knew I shouldn’t have updated.

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GRAFOP

Participating Frequently

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).

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leo.r

Community Expert

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.)

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GRAFOP

Participating Frequently

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.

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Laubender

Community Expert

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 )

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GRAFOP

Participating Frequently

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

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snap_printing

Participant

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.

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Haley2830190287bc

Participant

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.

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Michael buelens

Participant

Had the same issue but fixed it by closing InDesign…

and then opening Affinity

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If you don't know, now you know

Agent-CMYK

Participant

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!

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