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ELOISE2533104564bx
Participant
July 21, 2022
Answered

Line Tool and Shapes not working

  • July 21, 2022
  • 4 replies
  • 3542 views

Please help!

I have a document (book) which I am working on. When I first started it, everything was working properly.  However, now when I try to add a simple straight line using the line tool (to create divisions between blocks of text etc) or add a shape (rectangle) it simply WILL NOT appear on the page!  Obviously, it's not the Object>Arrange>Bring Forward etc - that's the first thing I have tried.  I have tried changing the colour and weight and it makes no difference.  It seems that I have "done something weird" (according to my daughter!)  I am not an expert by any means, but have a little bit of experience.  When I open a new document and try adding a line or shape, it works fine.  So it seems it's something with this document.  Does anyone have any idea what I might have inadvertantly done?

Correct answer jane-e
@ELOISE2533104564bx wrote:

When I open a new document and try adding a line or shape, it works fine.  So it seems it's something with this document.  Does anyone have any idea what I might have inadvertantly done?

 

InDesign has something called document defaults. When you have a document open and you change the formatting with nothing selected, it changes the defaults for that document. That's why it's working fine in the other document. To "fix" it in the current document, you need to format the shape with nothing selected.

 

All objects will show in your Layers panel. Can you do this:

  • Draw a rectangle and keep it selected
  • Open your Layers panel (Window menu) and spin open the disclosure triangle on the far left to show all objects on the current spread
  • Confirm that your Control panel (Window menu) is open
  • Share a screen shot that includes the selected rectangle and the two panels.

 

You might see a few other rectangles and lines when you open your Layers panel. All the invisible ones still exist. They can be selected and deleted.

 

Jane

 

4 replies

Vine Madder
Vine Madder
Participant
September 9, 2024

Hi! Adding an update for a solution that I found after experiencing a similar problem. Neither the line tool or box tool would make a line or box. In just one file. I could make them in other files I have juuust fine.

 

Check the object style you have currently selected. I had a text box object style selected. Once I changed to [None] or any other object style that does not apply text settings, I could create the new object.

 

Go to:

Windows> Styles> Object Styles

 

I now have that on the top ribbon and on the sidebar of my workspace to be able to get there quickly.

 

Hope that helps!

    Abhishek Rao
    Community Manager
    Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 10, 2024

    Hi @Vine Madder, 

     

    Thank you so much for sharing this update and the helpful solution you discovered! It's great to see you found the root of the issue with the object style settings, and your detailed explanation will surely help others facing the same challenge. Adding the Object Styles panel to your workspace for quick access is a fantastic tip!

     

    We truly appreciate your effort in contributing to the community. Thanks again for taking the time to share your experience!

     

    Best,  
    Abhishek Rao

    jane-e
    Community Expert
    jane-eCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    July 23, 2022
    @ELOISE2533104564bx wrote:

    When I open a new document and try adding a line or shape, it works fine.  So it seems it's something with this document.  Does anyone have any idea what I might have inadvertantly done?

     

    InDesign has something called document defaults. When you have a document open and you change the formatting with nothing selected, it changes the defaults for that document. That's why it's working fine in the other document. To "fix" it in the current document, you need to format the shape with nothing selected.

     

    All objects will show in your Layers panel. Can you do this:

    • Draw a rectangle and keep it selected
    • Open your Layers panel (Window menu) and spin open the disclosure triangle on the far left to show all objects on the current spread
    • Confirm that your Control panel (Window menu) is open
    • Share a screen shot that includes the selected rectangle and the two panels.

     

    You might see a few other rectangles and lines when you open your Layers panel. All the invisible ones still exist. They can be selected and deleted.

     

    Jane

     

    jmlevy
    Community Expert
    jmlevyCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 22, 2022

    Do you work with different layers?

    Rishabh_Tiwari
    Community Manager
    Rishabh_TiwariCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    July 22, 2022

    Hi @ELOISE2533104564bx ,

     

    Thanks for reaching out. I found a similar discussion which you can refer to here https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/shapes-not-showing-up-in-indesign-2018/td-p/9746794#M92546 

    Let us know if this helps or if you need any further assistance.

     

    Regards

    Rishabh

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