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

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
May 27, 2026
280 replies
12885 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

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Edoardo L.

Participant

bunch of amateurs. quit playing with us!

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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

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

PWil

Participant

Same issue - looking forward to a fast fix, as it is a real workflow killer.

Creative Overlord

Known Participant

I think the fact this thread has 8139 views as at 16th June demonstrates how critical users find this bug. Adobe said they were working on a solution in the UserVoice request here https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180/suggestions/51343807 over 2 weeks ago but still nothing. This issue significantly affects work efficiency every single day - by HOURS when you add up every little time you need to work around it. Users are already frustrated by rising subscription prices and dodgy business practices like adding additional credit use not included in subscription fees to new features across the Adobe Suite.

Bare minimum would be preserving existing functionality and fast responses to bugs like this. Personally InDesign is usually the most reliable with the best feature set and I often choose it for tasks I could possibly complete in Illustrator or Photoshop simply for it’s logic and efficiency, and it’s the key program keeping me subscribing.

But bugs like this have been happening a lot more often in the past year or two with slow fixes, if they are fixed at all, and ‘features’ being changes in functionality we don’t care about while willfully ignoring feature requests users scream for, along with some real alternatives in the market now, has many of us on the precipice of leaving.

niek_niek

Participant

Got the same issue. Is it a bug or are you guys trying to force this onto the users as new behaviour? this bug has never been a bug before, why is this suddenly happening? It is immensely frustrating...

leo.r

Community Expert

Is it a bug or are you guys trying to force this onto the users as new behaviour?

It’s a bug.

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