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unique_mind5D66
unique_mind5D66
Inspiring
May 30, 2024
Answered

Unable to change the colors of objects in InDesign

  • May 30, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 6290 views

Hi there. Can somebody help me to solve a problem? I have no idea if I pressed something or did something wrong or there is a problem in InDesign, but I can not normaly change the colors of objects and text. I can choose a swatch color, but can not edit it on object. I use to select a swatch on object and if needed, just go to color palette, switch from swatches to CMYK mode and change, for example black to higher number to get darker color. Any of it is possible. When I switch to CMYK, everything is shown greyish an can not be changed... What to do?

 

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This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer unique_mind5D66

If a document is not behaving well then try 

File>Export 

Choose IDML

Open the IDML in InDesign
Save the file as a new InDesign file with a new name
See if the issue persists.


Today everything is working as should... I all defferent files I tried... I have no idea how and why. Thank you all for help.

2 replies

A
AlexDuran
Participant
November 25, 2024

I had this issue with InDesign specifically. Neither Photoshop or Illustrator had this problem. Here's what worked for me and what didn't.

Didn't work:

  • Restarting/shutting down my computer
  • Uninstalling and reinstalling the program
  • Clearing preference cache

Did work:

  • Force quitting the 'Magnet' app 

On top of the the main issue I was having of not being able to select colors or typefaces, I was also dealing with an annoyance that everytime I clicked on a text box or object in my file things would shift a pixel or two over from where they were placed. Quiting the Magnet app cleared both these issues for me. So unfortunate that InDesign and Magnet can't play nice. 

    MattIrvingAU
    MattIrvingAU
    Participating Frequently
    November 26, 2024

    Thank you @AlexDuran for providing this information.

     

    Magnet was indeed the culprit! Once Magnet was removed, the Indesign swatches returned to their normal state. It's fortunate that Magnet's relevance has diminished with the release of macOS Sequoia.

     

    Thanks again for finding the problem and sharing it here. I would have never thought Magnet was the problem otherwise.

     

    Cheers
    Matt

    A
    alex_inception
    Participating Frequently
    November 27, 2024

    This fixed it for me too! 

    Clearlt a conflict with Magnet. 

    Thank you so much. Yet - so frustrating as Magnet is a great tool.

    unique_mind5D66
    unique_mind5D66Author
    Inspiring
    May 30, 2024

     

    HARSHIKA_VERMA
    Community Manager
    HARSHIKA_VERMACommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    May 30, 2024

    Hi @unique_mind5D66,

    Thank you for reaching out. I'm sorry to hear you are unable to change the colors of the object. I am unable to reproduce the issue on my Mac machine. A few more details from you would be helpful in investigating further.

     

    • The OS and the InDesign version.
    • Is it happening with this specific file or all files?
    • Could you please try a similar one in a new file and see if that works?
    • You may also try quitting InDesign and launching it again from the Creative Cloud Desktop app.

     

    Let us know if that helps. We will be happy to assist you further.

     

    Thanks,

    Harshika

    unique_mind5D66
    unique_mind5D66Author
    Inspiring
    May 31, 2024

    Dear Hershika, thank You for Your answer. Here are my answers...

     

    • Windows 11, Adobe InDesign version is 19.4
    • Is it happening in all files I open
    • It in NOT working in new file eigther
    • I tried an update, but there is none. I restarted an app, later computer, but it is still the same. I can, possibly try to install older version..?

     

    It might be some settings, I could press some buttons combination or what, but this never happened before in last 15 years 🙂

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