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A
authentic_character0D4D
Participant
February 22, 2022
Answered

Select object

  • February 22, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 556 views

Hi, I noticed that when I click inside an object with outline only it selects the object. It didn't use to do that. In order to select it you had to click on the outline only. Do you know how can I revert that?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Laubender

Hi Theo,

it depends of the tool that created the object.

 

Basically it's the difference between the tools that have "frame" in the name and the ones with similar names not containing the word "frame". Like the Rectangle Frame tool vs the Rectangle tool. The rectangle you have done with the Rectangle tool is the one you cannot select when you click inside if there is no fill color. The one done with the Rectangle Frame tool are selectable inside even if there is no fill:

 

You could convert between the three kind of frames, Text, Graphic and Unassigned.

So you want to convert from Graphic to Unassigned.

 

Select the object and go to:

Object > Content > and choose Unassigned

 

FWIW: A text frame's story must not contain any text if you want to convert it to Graphic or Unassigned.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

4 replies

D
Dustie3778022065x6
Participant
June 2, 2024

select object tool does it for ya... if you want more than one person, hold down shift and click extra objects.

L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 23, 2022

Hi Theo,

I know, InDesign's UX is very confusing here.

There are also implications when using object styles with the different types of frames.

Read into this article by David Blatner:

 

InDesign’s Three Kinds of Frames: Text, Graphic, and Unassigned
David Blatner, January 13, 2011
https://creativepro.com/indesigns-three-kinds-of-frames-text-graphic-and-unassigned/

 

To quote David:

"I’m really, really hoping that in a future version of InDesign, we will have three default object styles: text, graphic, and unassigned — which would get applied automatically when you create a new frame of each of these types."

 

Well, this article is from 2011. Ten years on now nothing has changed…

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 22, 2022

    That's not happening to me with InDesign 2022 (version 17.1) and macOS Monterey 12.2.1. The only way I know to select an object which has a fill of None and a stroke color is to either click on the edge of the object, or to click on the center point. Can you tell us more information about your system (operating system) and InDesign version? Does this happen with just one file, or on other files you try? 

     

     

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 22, 2022

    Ah, I forgot about the different behavior of a frame tool, Uwe has it correct.

    L
    Community Expert
    LaubenderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    February 22, 2022

    Hi Theo,

    it depends of the tool that created the object.

     

    Basically it's the difference between the tools that have "frame" in the name and the ones with similar names not containing the word "frame". Like the Rectangle Frame tool vs the Rectangle tool. The rectangle you have done with the Rectangle tool is the one you cannot select when you click inside if there is no fill color. The one done with the Rectangle Frame tool are selectable inside even if there is no fill:

     

    You could convert between the three kind of frames, Text, Graphic and Unassigned.

    So you want to convert from Graphic to Unassigned.

     

    Select the object and go to:

    Object > Content > and choose Unassigned

     

    FWIW: A text frame's story must not contain any text if you want to convert it to Graphic or Unassigned.

     

    Regards,
    Uwe Laubender

    ( ACP )

      A
      authentic_character0D4DAuthor
      Participant
      February 22, 2022

      Thanks a lot for the fast answer

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