Skip to main content
H
henryc59388054
Participating Frequently
October 29, 2020
Answered

Can't rename layers inDesign 2021 (16.0) also happened in 2020.

  • October 29, 2020
  • 17 replies
  • 11327 views

I've been trying to rename layers for organization purposes, I used to be able to do this by double-clicking the layer and it would start the editing dialogue.

Now when I click it sometimes will pop open for like a tenth of a second but not enough time to do anything. I haven't found a workaround.

 

On iMac. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer defaulttgr01x3ua60p

    Hi,

     

    I had the same issue. What worked for me was just changing my work place from Essentials to Essentials Classic. I know is not a long term fix but it works for when you need to make it work quick. 

     

    17 replies

    Show previous replies
    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 4, 2020

    Also, I just noticed the position of your cursor matters when you make the two, single clicks. The hover has to be over the title with the hand icon—a hover over the layer, but not over the title will not work.

     

    This works with separate single clicks:

     

     

    But this does not:

     

    rob day
    Community Expert
    rob dayCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 4, 2020

    I’m wondering if this could have something to do with OSX’s mouse double-click speed setting, which is set in System Preferences>Accessibility>Mouse&Trackpad? Seems like the complaints are coming from OSX users?

    S
    sweetbea
    Participant
    December 4, 2020

    I also started experiencing this issue after the Big Sur update. I'm unable to rename any of my InDesign layers, even following the suggestions above. This is a CRITICAL issue for me, as I'm in the middle of several projects that require specific naming of the layers for programming of variables. Please tell us when to expect a fix.

    S
    sweetbea
    Participant
    December 4, 2020

    Update: I was able to run the script posted above using an online simple text editor to save the file as a .jsx file. 

    A
    Adam5C0B
    Participating Frequently
    December 1, 2020

    Still an issue with the InDesign 16.0.1 update. Script is still working fine.

    A
    Adam5C0B
    Participating Frequently
    November 20, 2020

    I have this same issue. To clarify, when I click once on a layer or layer element and then click another time to rename it (as is the way with InDesign) the editing cursor/highlighted text pops up for a split second and then closes and goes back to normal. Yes, I can double-click on the layer and rename that in the pop-up dialogue box, but I need to rename layer elements as well.

     

    I have done the same suggested fixes in this thread of reinstalling InDesign and erasing preferences and it doesn't work. I have a Wacom Intuos Pro tablet installed, but the renaming issue happens whether the tablet is connected or not. I haven't tried uninstalling the tablet software as I have too many projects to finish and don't have the time to be without the tablet.

     

    I need to fix this ASAP as I cannot create proper mechanicals of my design files without renaming layer elements.

     

    MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) MacBookPro16,1 / macOS Big Sur 11.0.1 (20B29) / InDesign 2021 (16.0)

      rob day
      Community Expert
      rob dayCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      November 20, 2020

      You reset your preferences, but did you also delete your Caches folder. Corrupt Caches often cause interface problems.

      rob day
      Community Expert
      rob dayCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      October 29, 2020

      I think Bob is right—it‘s not actually a double-click, but two single clicks with a pause between.

      Fishman_dan
      Fishman_dan
      Participant
      March 11, 2021

      I am having the same issue, but for clarification mine is when I single-click.

       

      The layer item name briefly flashes (you can see the highlighted text), but it goes straight back to how it was and I can't edit the name.

       

      Very frustrating.

        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 29, 2020
        Not seeing that behavior here. If all you want to do is rename, click the layer, wait a moment and then click the name of the layer.

        That should let you rename it.

        If you're still having issues you may need to reset your preferences.
          H
          henryc59388054Author
          Participating Frequently
          October 29, 2020

          Thanks for the response - I tried resetting preferences and no differences in behavior.

          Again, the edit text mode pops up for a split second before disappearing. I'll try a full re-install...

            Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
            Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices