Unable to zoom and pan using keyboard shortcuts in InDesign v16.3.2 on macOS

[shannonc25251716]

Adobe InDesign 16.3.2

• Using the Keyboard to zoom (cmd+Space) has stopped working
• Using the Keyboard to pan (Space bar) has stopped working

{Renamed by MOD}

[Bill Silbert]

The Key commands to zoom out is not (nor has it ever been) Command-space(bar). Rather to Zoom out (enlarge) use Command = (equal sign) and to Zoom in (reduce) use Command - (minus sign). Holding the spacebar to pan does not work if your cursor is in an active text frame (holding the option key will work to pan within an active text frame). Holding the spacebar will allow you to pan outside of an active text frame.

Holding the Command and Spacebar will access the magnify tool so that you can drag on the screen to enlarge. Adding the option key to that will allow you to drag a reduction.

[Raphaël Freeman]

actually you are not 100% correct. The CTRL-space temporarily activates the zoom key.

[malteg47679314]

No it doesn't, not at least in 2024 and on Mac (Sweden)

[Cecilia5E25]

Not sure where you got that idea, but it absolutely does work. I've been using that combo of key commands for years and the last few days it hasn't been working and I feel like I've lost an arm (Ok, that might be a bit dramatic). You do have to know which key to hold down first because sometimes the finder's search pops up instead. But holding down the spacebar first and then adding the command key will turn your cursor into a circle with a plus in it, and if you also add the option key, it will turn into a minus. Using Command + equal sign or Command + Minus sign would be quite inconvenient compared to the spacebar way, always having to take your hand off the mouse to zoom in or out, plus you can only do it in increments, so you'd be limited in the accuracy of the zoom. 

[Jeffrey_Smith]

Are you using Webroot Secure (virus scanner)? If yes, make sure to "Pause Secure Keyboard Entry"

[Anshul_Saini · Accepted solution]

Hi there,

Sorry to hear about this trouble. This is really weird. This generally happens when there is a third-party application that has similar shortcuts. Could you please share a few more details like:

• version of macOS
• Was it working fine on the previous version?
• When did this start happening?
• Are there any recent changes made to your system? For example, any antivirus, system updates, or web extensions installed recently.

Also, please try booting the system into Safe Mode and check how it works there. It starts your system to perform certain checks and prevent third-party software/ services from automatically loading or opening.

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini

[defaultws9nhkwo19l7]

I have the same problem, which occurs intermittently. I have tried quitting and re launching, quitting all other apps and nothing fixes the issue other than a complete restart. Im on MacOS Big Sur, using Indesign 17.0.1. MacBook Pro 13-inch, 2020.

The exact problem is that the following keyboard shortcuts suddenly stop working in Indesign:

- Spacebar (toggle to pan tool)

- Command + spacebar (toggle to Zoom tool)

Requires restart to fix.

Any suggestions?

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @defaultws9nhkwo19l7,

We are sorry to hear about the trouble you are facing. This generally happens when the third-party application is interfering with InDesign. In that case, you may try running the app in Safe Mode and launch InDesign only. If shortcut works fine in Safe Mode, then open other apps one by one, which you usually open, and see which app is conflicting with InDesign shortcuts. 

Also, it can happen due to corrupt preferences. In that case, you may try resetting them (https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/indesign-preferences-support-file-locations.html) and see if that helps resolve the issue.
Disclaimer: Please note that resetting preferences will remove all the custom settings, and InDesign will launch with default settings. You can also take a backup of the folders in case you want to. Location is mentioned in the article.

Let us know how it goes. We'll be looking forward to your response.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[Jeremy AB]

I find when this happens that I have Safari open. For some reason it interferes with certain key commands in InDesign. And it makes a difference in which order the apps are launched too. For example (going by memory) if InDesign is launched after Safari then it should be no problem.

[Jenna257764555yk9]

This completely solved my problem, thank you!

[defaultws9nhkwo19l7]

The problem occurs erratically so it's hard to tell what action triggered it. It occurs during stable conditions (i.e. no new instals, apps etc) and I haven't noticed any particular pattern in the lead-up. I also had wondered about Safari and will experiment...

[Autantpourmoi]

Same problem with me with monterey 12.3.1 PS23.2.2 , at the first start every thing ok , then if the computer go to sleep mode it happens even sometimes it doesn't need to fall asleep. Can't use the shordut anypore , reached adobe assistance which was crap, they only ask you to reset preferences and reinstall ( really i did already before reaching them and no improve ) ,it doesn't work . Crazy that this bug exist since more then 10 years as i checked all the messages concerning this problem and adobe isn't able to give proper solution ... the only way for me is to restart the computer which is a pain and a real loss of time ..Thanks adobe 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Autantpourmoi,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. As I said above, this generally happens when the third-party application is interfering with InDesign or any other Adobe app. In that case, you may try running the app in Safe Mode and launch the Adobe app only. If the shortcut works fine in Safe Mode, then open other apps one by one, which you usually open, and see which app is conflicting with the Adobe app shortcuts. It is something that cannot be addressed from our side, and it varies from computer to computer & app to app.

Regards,

Anshul Saini

[christinep4153729]

I would rather think it is a glitch in InDesign. Please fix.

[perssongrafisk]

Try close Siri - it worked for me. 🙂

[DonkieHoatie]

So it was Adobe Bridge that caused the problems for me. Turned it off and restarted... everything work correctly now. None of the other fixes were actual fixes.

[Cecilia5E25]

I'm working in InDesign 2025 (20.3.1) in Sonoma and my zoom (Command + Spacebar for zoom in/Command + Spacebar + Option for zoom out) had stopped working a few days ago as well, someone else said Safari was interfering with theirs, I did not have Safari open, but I closed out the Microsoft Edge browser which I had been using for CoPilot. Happily, once I closed it out the zoom started working again in InDesign! I then opened Microsoft Edge and CoPilot again and the zoom is still working. So I guess Microsoft Edge just needed to know that I was the one in control and if it tries to mess with me again, I have the power to shut it down! 😄

[Angus Hume]

CMD + Space just stopped working for me on the latest MacOS and InDesign. I had just installed a minor system update and Adobe updates. I've never seen this issue before. Quitting Safari made no difference, but I started closing everything else, and eventually something worked. Unfortunately, I closed the last few without checking, so I'm not sure which did the trick, but it was likely either Whatsapp, Discord, Slack, or Fontbase.  However, it seems people are finding different apps being quit as a solution, so I'm not convinced my experience would be consistent. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @AngusHume & @Cecilia5E25,

Thanks so much for sharing your experience! I know how frustrating it can be when trusty shortcuts like CMD + Space suddenly stop working out of the blue.

Since you've recently updated both macOS and InDesign, could you please confirm the exact versions you're currently running? It will help us better understand the setup. As others have mentioned, certain background apps like Safari, Edge, Bridge, Discord, or Slack can sometimes interfere with shortcut keys, especially if they've been granted keyboard or accessibility permissions.

If the issue pops up again, try restarting your system and launching only InDesign first, before opening any other apps. This can help identify if a specific app is causing the conflict. Also, take a moment to check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Input Monitoring and Accessibility to see if anything unusual is listed there that might be intercepting the shortcuts.

If possible, please share a short screen recording showing the behavior. That would be really helpful for further investigation.

Keep me posted if the issue returns.

Abhishek