Indesign drag duplicate does not work with this latest version

[Naomi Graphics]

Just a bout forever I have been have to use the option  (or shift and option if I want to duplicate horizontally or vertically)  to duplicate an element and drag it to where I want it to be. It is not working anymore. When I click on an object the double arrow does appear, but as soon as I drag, it disappears...I use this all the time, what is the fix?

[Katie Houghton]

Shift constrains it and Options duplicates it. If you are doing everything correct then try resetting your preferences. Set preferences in Adobe InDesign

1. Exit the application
2. Press and hold Shift+Ctrl+Alt (Windows) or Shift+Option+Command+Control (macOS) as you start InDesign. You are prompted to delete the current settings. The new preferences files are created when you start the application.

But it may be as simple as when you are holding the option key. In InDesign the option needs to be held prior to clicking or dragging or through the release of the mouse. The option key works in many applications to duplicate as you drag but when you hold the option key alters depending on the application.

Adobe Photoshop: You need to hold the option key prior to clicking and dragging the object.

Adobe Illustrator: You need to hold the option key through the release of the mouse.

Adobe Premiere: same as Illustrator but you can not hold it early as it will only select one part of the clip.

Adobe InDesign: The option key can be held prior to clicking on the object OR on the release of the mouse.

If you hold the option key too late and release it too early then it will not duplicate. I always hold it prior to selecting the object AND through the release of my mouse except in Premiere Pro. That way I do not have to think about it and it always works.

[Bill Silbert]

If Katie's suggestion to reset preferences does not work you might want to try uninstalling and reinstalling InDesign in the following manner:

In the app section of your Creative Cloud desktop app click on the “V” next to the app’s (InDesign) name and choose the “Uninstall” option from the pull-down menu that appears. After you’ve run the uninstall then use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems . Then reinstall the program through the Desktop app. Before you reinstall, once again trash all preference files to make sure that your install is completely clean. Then launch InDesign and see if the problem persists.

Please be rest assured, however, that the dragging of duplicates works exactly the same as it always has. If Katies's and my suggestions don't work for you then please let us know what operating system that you are using. Also please make sure that the version you have of InDesign Cc 2019 is the latest release 14.0.1.

[Naomi Graphics · Accepted solution]

Thanks for this, actually, I worked out the answer. This drag and duplicate I see has changed a bit. When I use the option key on an object you get a double "pointer" one that is black and one that is white, if I hold the option key down long enough so that both "pointers"  become white, then dragging and the object duplicates.

[tamirh46148040]

It did not work for me....

[Echo Publications]

Hmmm. I had some whackiness happening with various option/command/shift click combinations. A restart seems to have put things back to normal. Pretty bizzare behavior for a mature software program. 

[lisayudin@centura.org]

This does not work for me. Never turns to two white arrow. I'm on a mac platform 😞

[FlashInPan]

Same here.

[Maria5F9D]

OMG Thank you this has been driving me crazy.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Just a note that the feature works as it always did on Windows. 

For reference, it would be helpful to know your OS version in case others have this issue.

[Elisabetta32578471yysf]

I am still having thia issue: MAC OS Ventura 13.5.1. Unistalled and re-installeed. still does not duplicate wity option-drag altough the 2 arrows show. Any thoughts?

[Katie W.]

I have noticed at some point the behavior in Indesign changed for me. Or got more sensitive? I'm on 2022 still (it takes more work to get an IT admin to authentical for the upgrade than feels worth it) and all the time now it seems to not catch. But I figured out that it's if I don't hold down Option before selectting the object then it flat out does not work anymore, and moves the item instead. I must hit the two pretty close to simulatneously and they don't always hit in the right order, is my guess. At home I'm on a newer version and haven't noticed this frustration.