Disable Automatic Selection of Transform Tool in InDesign

[vmarf_work]

Is there any way to turn off automatic selection of the transformation tool when moving or changing the size of object? In almost every case the tool I would rather use is the select mouse, and I'm getting quite sick of having to re-select it any time I resize something.

Oh, and to save time for y'all, because I had the same thought, this isn't caused by keyboard shortcuts. It seems to be something new from a recent update - I'm not sure if it's intentional or not, but either way I want it gone.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

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[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Can you maybe post some video?

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @vmarf_work,

I completely understand how frustrating it can be when a tool behaves differently than expected, especially when it disrupts your workflow. From what you’ve described, it seems like this automatic selection of the transform tool might be linked to a recent update, although there hasn't been a specific setting introduced for this.

Could you please confirm the exact version of the InDesign you’re using? Additionally, does this happen with all types of objects or only certain ones?

Have you tried resetting InDesign preferences? You can also try running the app in safe mode (Mac/ Windows) and check if it behaves the same way. If yes, then please create a screen recording and share it with us for better understanding.

I’m here to help you understand this and find a solution that works for you!

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[vmarf_work]

I'm on InDesign 19.4 running on Mac Sonoma 14.0, so I'll try updating to InDesign 19.5 before anything else.

It happens with text boxes, shapes, and frames. In trying to replicate the effect I've had inconsistent results, which makes me think it's definitly a bug and not a feature. One of my co-workers reports the same problem.

Unfortunately I cannot post video, as I am on a work computer.

[leo.r]

Mac Sonoma 14.0

By @vmarf_work

In addition to other suggestions, make sure to update to the latest Sonoma before anything else. macOS 14.0 and up to 14.3 caused several issues in InDesign. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@vmarf_work

You could record video using your phone. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I'm not quite sure I get what behavior you're seeing, but we recently had a discussion along these lines about object selection — if you click in the center of an image or the like, you will get the Direct Selection Tool (white arrow) instead of the Selection Tool (outline arrow). You can avoid this (particular) issue by clicking or dragging well away from the center of the object; you can also turn off the object selection circle —"Content Grabber" — that is the root cause of this change.

[Barb Binder]

Hi @vmarf_work:

Is there any way to turn off automatic selection of the transformation tool when moving or changing the size of object? In almost every case the tool I would rather use is the select mouse

I'm sure we can help, but need clarification. InDesign does have a Free Transform tool—it that what you are referring to, or do you mean you have the Selection tool and InDesign is switching to the Direct Selection tool? (See demo for location and tool names.)

I'm guessing that InDesign isn't selecting the Free Transform tool (but tell us if it is!) and am aligned with James' answer. The Content Grabber is the name of the doughnut icon that appears in the middle of an unselected frame containing an image. If you click on the doughnut, you will select the image, as if you had the Direct Selection tool enabled. If you click anywhere but on the doughnut, you will select the frame. It sounds like you want to wrok with the frame and not the image—if that is correct, just don't click on the doughnut!

Once I explain this shortcut to my students, they tend to work with the Content Grabber enabled and choose what they want (image or frame) based on where they click. However, if you prefer, you can turn it off under the View> Extras >Hide  Content Grabber.

~Barb

[vmarf_work]

I'm talking about the free transform tool, not the direct selection tool! I should have been more specific, my apologies.

The issue does not reside in frame vs contents, but I see where you would get that idea 🙂

[Peter Spier]

Have you tried trashing the prefs? See Reset InDesign Preferences and Other Troubleshooting 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

So your UI is just randomly switching to the Free Transform tool? You're sure we're not having a semantic/term confusion here?

Try as I might (for a minute or two) I can't make anything happen but the above-mentioned switch between Select/Direct Select. It takes a deliberate action to bring up the FT tool.

Have you reset your ID preferences? That's the only thing I can think of and it's probably not going to help.

[Barb Binder]

Ok! Thanks for clarifying. 😊

This is a new one for me (the question we tried to answer is very common). This is in fact a new bug or as a long shot, a possible issue with the modifier keys (also fairly common). I did read this: "Oh, and to save time for y'all, because I had the same thought, this isn't caused by keyboard shortcuts." but humor me for one minute...

The shortcut for the Free Transform is E, and a few of the frame fitting commands use E along with some modifier keys. 

Since you said this is sporadic, the next time this happens, ask yourself if you were trying to invoke Fit Content Proportionally, Fit Content to Frame or Center Content (or any command with E as the shortcut letter). Sometimes other applications interfere with modifier keys in InDesign, and InDesign might not register the modifier keys, which would select the Free Transform tool.

• If it's a yes, come back and we'll give you some ideas on how to stop it.
• If it's a no, then it sounds it could be the first report of a new a bug so.—as long as you're fully updated on both your operating system and InDesign, and have reset your preferences (see https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/).—you can go ahead and report it as a bug here: https://indesign.uservoice.com/.

~Barb