New to InDesign- Not able to delete objects

[nbell192]

What does these  clear empty boxes mean? And why cant I delete them?

[Eugene Tyson · Accepted solution]

They are on the master pages.

Learn how to use master pages in InDesign

If you are new to InDesign I highly recommend some tutorials

InDesign tutorials | Learn how to use InDesign CC

www.lynda.com  has a free 10 days (from what I remember)

[cinziamarotta]

Eugene Tyson gave you a good suggestion.

For a quick shortcut: press CMD (on Mac) or CTRL (on Win) + MAIUS + click on the object to unlock it.

[Eugene Tyson]

That's how you override master pages.

It might not be a good idea to start doing overrides on a document that you didn't create, nor you know the consequences of overriding master items.

Master items are not locked - they are on Master Pages.

A locked item is a different thing altogether, where you can choose to Lock an item on a Master Page - overriding master page items so they are no longer to linked items is a different thing altogether.

I continue to advise beginners to learn - and do tutorials - and to enable themselves to make informed decisions.

[cinziamarotta]

Learn how to use master pages in InDesign

[Eugene Tyson]

I have no idea why you're posting a screenshot of the link I posted originally?

But it is good to note that bottom line (above the Note)

"Once you override any master item, its dotted bounding box becomes a solid line to show that a local copy has been created"

You are not Unlocking any item when you Override a page. It creates a copy of what is on the master page.

Which can remain dynamically linked. For example you can override a text frame - insert some text - then go back to the master page, put a stroke on the text frame - and now that is on the text frame you choose to override.

That would be because it's dynamically linked back to the master page.

Be very careful instructing people to "override" master pages - as overriding is not the same as "unlocking"

[cinziamarotta]

Eugene,

I just wanted to point out the shortcut as mentioned in the link you suggested ...

[Eugene Tyson]

I don't mean to come across obtrusive, apologies if I was over the top when replying.

It's one of these humdingers that come around a lot and I really wanted to hammer home the point of being careful while 'overriding' master items.

[cinziamarotta]

Everything is ok. I agree with you!