InDesign bug, unable to move the blocks

Question

Hello,
I have a problem with InDesign. I was normally working on InDesign, and all of a sudden, I can't move any of my blocks at all, whether it's text or images. I'm definitely using the black cursor, but nothing happens when I try to shift a block. I also can't copy and paste anymore. I select a block, I copy it, and then the paste function is grayed out. I can still create new blocks and import new elements, but I can't make any modifications to the existing ones. Help! I'm working on a catalog for a company, which must be delivered in the coming days, and I'm completely stuck!!!
Could this be due to something I accidentally did or a potential virus??? I should point out that I'm only having this problem with InDesign.

If someone has an answer, it would be a great help!!!

Thanks in advance!

Configuration: Windows XP Firefox 3.0.5

luna_gab · Accepted Answer

Hello again,

I found out that the problem wasn't with InDesign, but with my mouse...

Check if you can drag icons in Windows... If the answer is no, try changing your mouse (and restarting your computer).

That fixed my issue!!! Gab

vankop · Answer

Hello,  Did you accidentally lock the position of your blocks (CTRL+L)… …if so, you need to unlock it: Object>Unlock Position…

luna_gab · Answer

aaaahhhh!!!  ... HELP, I have exactly the same problem right now... does anyone have an answer???  Thank you, Gabrielle

Caramel 1710 · Answer

Hello, I have the same problem that willomae described and it's not a mouse issue! Have you found a solution? Thank you in advance

Kartmannovice · Answer

Hello everyone. The same problem mentioned here has occurred on my CS2 version. It's not the mouse, and it's only InDesign that's doing this to me. If someone has found the solution to this problem, it would help me out and prevent my PC from going out the window.

Thanks in advance

config: Vista pro, CS2

pierluc · Answer

Same problem as you! Can't edit my file, all the tools behave like a hand. SOS SOS here in Quebec, Adobe, over to you!  Luckily, I'm not doing a job for a big company!

pierluc · Answer

Well, to fix the issue, you just need to update all of InDesign. It seems that a faulty update is the source of the problems. Once all the updates are done (check more than once with the button found in one of InDesign's menus), the problem will disappear.

lahoyasrha · Answer

Hello,

It might be a bit late to respond, but oh well, it doesn’t hurt.
I have a temporary solution to work around the issue:
select the image with the selection tool (black arrow) then ctrl+X and ctrl+V (cut and paste)
There you go. The image is now movable!
The downside is that you have to handle each image individually, but still, it’s a good temporary solution ;-) !

Good luck everyone!

Lalie · Answer

Hello,
I know this topic is a bit old, but I'm having the exact same problem right now. And I don't know how to resolve it! I have to submit my internship report with an InDesign layout this week, and I'm stuck too! Did you manage to overcome this problem? Thank you for replying,
Best regards,

quicheuh · Answer

I just had the same problem and I'm struggling to finish my layout. If you've found a solution, please let me know; otherwise, I only see uninstalling and reinstalling the software as an option.

®afa · Answer

Hello,
the same thing happened to me because, without realizing it, I worked
in the template (or layout) and not on the actual page. Once I saved
and reopened my file, Indesign automatically places us on the page,
not on the template. And there, obviously all the blocks are unmovable, unselectable, except with the usual shortcut "command"/"shift"/"click"...

hoping this can save some time for someone ;)

stef · Answer

On PC: ctrl+shift+mouse click unlocked my "hand"! Thanks Rafa, you can say it saved me time!!

Tristan · Answer

The same story ctrl+shift+click mouse, thanks Rafa

yannlynx · Answer

thank you it works wonderfully

clemence · Answer

Hello, the same thing happened to me, but after trying all your solutions, I realized by setting my document to 25% that I had a huge block covering my entire document. I deleted it and was able to access my blocks, there you go...

jéjé · Answer

I confirm the mouse problem; after a restart of the computer, everything returned to normal.

Guy-Ohm · Answer

Same problem, impossible to move the items, except with the arrow keys... I restarted my Mac and now there are no more issues... Strange.

InDesign bug, unable to move the blocks

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