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Question

InDesign: Center Reference Point when not using Transformation Tools

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
August 18, 2025
6 replies
570 views

The latest update, 20.5, has removed the Center Reference Point from objects except when using Transformation Tools. This makes using the Selection Tool to move and center an object difficult. Is there a way to get the Center Reference Point back? I've searched the menus and internet, to no avail.

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David27007364tk1qAuthor

Known Participant

Update: I've figured out why its happening, but not how to stop it from happening by default.

Under View: GPU Preview - Preview on CPU toggles the Center Reference Point to show or not show.

When it shows GPU Preview, the Center Reference Point is shown. However, it is not the default currently.

My coworker does not have this setting available (Compatible GPU and Monitor not detected).

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @David27007364tk1q,

Thanks for sharing this update. I tested this on my end with InDesign 21.0 on Windows 11, and the center reference point appears consistently in CPU Preview. On GPU Preview, it shows up when the object is stable but not while moving, which is different from your observation.

I'd suggest isolating the issue further by running InDesign in Safe Mode to rule out any third-party interference. You can follow the steps here: Start your PC in Safe Mode.

Additionally, please test this on a system that isn't connected to your company domain, if possible, to see if any enterprise policies might be affecting the display behavior. If you have InDesign installed on a personal computer, testing there could help confirm this.

Regarding the 'Compatible GPU and Monitor not detected' message, it might appear if the monitor resolution is below the supported threshold. GPU features in InDesign require a monitor with a resolution higher than 2K. You can refer to this article for more details: GPU Performance in InDesign.

Looking forward to hearing your observations after these tests.

Abhishek

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David27007364tk1qAuthor

Known Participant

New info:

Upon starting up the computer and the program today, a file created last week had the center reference point. I then created a new document to test, the center reference point was missing. I saved the file from last week and reopened it, center reference point was again gone.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @David27007364tk1q,

Thanks for sharing all the details and the screen recording. I'm checking this behavior with the product team. I'll update you here as soon as I hear back from them.

Appreciate your patience in the meantime.

Abhishek

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Simon28757540ofrs

Participating Frequently

Just to report that I'm having exactly the same problem, following the most recent update. I don't see why it would be anything to do with preferences/profiles, as they have not been changed. This is a bug introduced by the update. I'm on Windows 11, ID version 20.5 64 bit. Really need a fix for this.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @David27007364tk1q,

Thanks for the detailed update. I tested this on my end and the center points are showing as expected, so it’s possible the issue on your system is linked to corrupt preferences. Since you mentioned you couldn't reset them earlier, you can try taking a backup first and then reset using the steps here: https://adobe.ly/3VqF7jQ to see if that helps.

If the issue continues, please also test the same workflow after creating a new local user profile to rule out any profile-related corruption. You can follow the steps here: https://adobe.ly/4gwY6md

It would be great if you could also share a short screen recording of your workflow, from creating the box to using the Selection Tool to move it, so I can share it with the team for further review.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

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David27007364tk1qAuthor

Known Participant

I've reset my preferences, no change.

The issue existed on a brand new machine with a freshly installed InDesign, no change.

It is also happening to other users in my department.

I am not able to utilize a new user in my current environment, but it is happening with multiple users already.

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David27007364tk1qAuthor

Known Participant

I was able to find another computer in the enterprise that has Windows 11 and was able to test this issue. This issue still exists in Windows 11 on a brand new installed InDesign version 20.5

rob day

Community Expert

HI @David27007364tk1q , Is your Preferences>Interface>Options>Live Screen Drawing set to Immediate? I can replicate your problem if I set it to Never or Delayed.

leo.r

Community Expert

HI @David27007364tk1q , Is your Preferences>Interface>Options>Live Screen Drawing set to Immediate? I can replicate your problem if I set it to Never or Delayed.

By @rob day

Interesting... I can't reproduce it with any option. Maybe it also depends on memory and/or display conditions? I also tried with GPU on and off.

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Anubhav M

Community Manager

Hello @David27007364tk1q,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Could you try installing an earlier version of InDesign (https://adobe.ly/41cp7VX) to see if it works there? If it does, kindly share a small screen recording of your exact workflow, so I can check this with the team.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

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David27007364tk1qAuthor

Known Participant

This is how it looks when I drag around an object. There is no center reference point. The red box on the right is being dragged around for placement.

This is how it used to look when dragging around objects (this image was taken when creating a new box with Rectangle Frame Tool. You can see the center reference point. The red box on the right is being created.

It is not possible to switch to an earlier version as that is controlled by IT.

leo.r

Community Expert

There is no center reference point.

By @David27007364tk1q

I can't reproduce it: I do see the center reference point in InDesign 20.5 when drawing and dragging objects the way you described. macOS 13.7. What's your operating system version?

Also, try these general troubleshooting steps:

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

Will it make a difference?

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