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← Adobe InDesign: Bugs

[ID-4281542]Unable to move multiple objects when selecting image frames

With the latest version of Indesign (21.4) I can't move multiple image frames any more unless I group them. This also applies when selecting an image frame and graphic elements such as rectangles or text frames, everything else deselects and stays put with the image moving. Except when I click and drag on the non image frame of the selection, then everything works as it should. Can you please fix this as it is highly annoying.

Mac OS 26.5, Indesign 21.4

Workaround:

  • Holding the Shift key while dragging allows the entire selection to move correctly.
  • Rolling back from InDesign 21.4 to InDesign 21.3 resolves the issue.
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  • Kathryn Adamson commented  ·   ·  Report

    I'm having the same issue and it's frustrating as ****. The only workaround I've found is to group the objects after selecting and then moving them.

    I'm also experiencing another (probably related) issue - when I select multiple objects and attempt to nominate the key object by clicking on the relevant object, it drops all other items. I can access 'key objects' from the alignment panel, and so far it's worked okay-ish but I can't designate the key object, it selects it automatically.

  • Nate commented  ·   ·  Report

    This bug is a MASSIVE issue that completely breaks InDesign for me. I am seriously unable to do my job because of the inability to select multiple objects and make one a key selection for precise alignment purposes. I will roll back to a previous version, but I am NOT updating until this has been resolved.

  • Hans Bos commented  ·   ·  Report

    yes please fix this bug, it's very very annoying. Thanks team!

  • Gavin Kimber commented  ·   ·  Report

    "Working on a fix"? It was never broken before the latest update – amateurs!

  • Kate Finch commented  ·   ·  Report

    It's been driving me crazy on Windows since last week as well - so glad to find out it's not just me!

  • Joost Egelie commented  ·   ·  Report

    Also when trying to make one object the KEY object in a selection for aligning to that object, it doesn't work. You simply can't click one object to key.

  • Linnea Hallberg commented  ·   ·  Report

    After updating to InDesign 21.4 on macOS, I started experiencing issues with placed images that were not present in previous versions.

    Issue 1: Multiple object selection
    I can select multiple placed images.
    However, when I click and drag to move the selected objects, the multiple selection is lost.
    Only the object directly under the cursor moves, while the other selected objects become deselected.

    Issue 2: Align panel
    Align commands do not work correctly when multiple placed images are selected.
    The same align commands work normally with native InDesign objects such as text frames and shapes.
    The problem appears to affect placed image frames specifically.

    Troubleshooting performed

    Reset InDesign preferences.
    Tested after restarting the application.
    Problem remained.

    Resolution:
    Installed the previous InDesign version (21.3 / previous release).
    All functionality immediately returned to normal.

    This appears to be a regression introduced in InDesign 21.4.

    Platform:
    macOS
    InDesign 21.4

    Can anyone else reproduce this issue with placed images?

    The issue affects existing production workflows and was introduced immediately after updating to 21.4.

  • Mathilde Heu commented  ·   ·  Report

    Thanks for working on a fix, it's truly infuriating ahaha

  • Aris commented  ·   ·  Report

    Same here. It even crossed my mind that my keyboard might have some mechanical problem like permanently pressing some button... well, makes you go crazy!

  • Darek Pepłoński commented  ·   ·  Report

    The latest InDesign update (21.4) has broken basic selection functionality. I can no longer move multiple image frames simultaneously without grouping them first, which is completely counter-intuitive. Even worse, selecting an image frame along with other elements (rectangles, text) causes everything else to deselect the moment I try to move the image. This forces me to perform awkward workarounds just to move objects. This is a massive workflow bottleneck that needs an immediate fix.

  • Roland commented  ·   ·  Report

    I have the same problem. Slowing down my learned workflows as I have a lot of individual items on a page and I use this functionality a lot.

  • Dylan commented  ·   ·  Report

    In 21.4 I can select an object and *sometimes* move it, but most of the time, I can't. All layers are unlocked. I am using the selection tool. I've used InDesign daily at work for years. This bug renders the whole app unusable. So far I've tried going back as far as 20.3, but I experience the same issue. I just uninstalled all versions, removed preferences, reinstalled 21.4, and the issue persists. Windows 11, btw.

  • Olena commented  ·   ·  Report

    When you select two element to align them, there is also no way to select the one you want to align to!!
    It just deselects the others! instead of putting a bold box around like it used to. How do I uninstall this update??? it's very frustrating.

  • Samm commented  ·   ·  Report

    Same issue here as well. Incredibly annoying!

    MacOS Tahoe 26.5.1
    Indesign 21.4

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Adobe InDesign: Bugs: Performance/Usability

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