How to Unlock Objects in InDesign

Learn how to unlock objects using the Objects menu, Layers menu, or Right-Clicking

Co-authored by Richard Marczewski Jr. and Travis Boylls

Last Updated: May 2, 2024 Fact Checked

Do you have objects locked in InDesign that you can do anything with? Luckily, Adobe provides numerous easy ways to lock and unlock objects. This wikiHow teaches you how to unlock "locked" objects, layers, and master page elements so they can be moved or manipulated in Adobe InDesign.

Things You Should Know

For textboxes (or other items): click the padlock icon in the top left corner of the object.
Click "Object," followed by "Unlock all on spread" to unlock all objects within the page.
Open the Layers menu and expand the layer with the locked object. Click the lock icon next to an object to unlock it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Unlocking a Single Object

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It's the icon that resembles a black mouse cursor. It's in the toolbar which is generally on the left side of the screen.
When an object is locked, it will have a bounding box around it with a lock icon towards the upper-left side. Click the lock icon next to the object with the selection tool to unlock it. You can now move and manipulate the object.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Unlocking All Objects in a Spread

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It's in the menu bar at the top of the page. at the top of the screen.
This will unlock all objects within the page spread you are working on. You can now move and manipulate objects.^{[1]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Using the Layers Menu

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Doing so opens the Layers window on the right side of the app.
Doing so will list all objects in the layer below the layer name.
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Click the lock icon next to the object you want to unlock. This will unlock the object and allow you to move and manipulate the object
- If the entire layer is locked, click the lock icon next to the layer name to unlock the entire layer.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Unlocking Master-Page Elements

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It's in the menu bar at the top of the page.
Doing so opens the Pages window on the right side of the app.
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Press Ctrl+⇧ Shift (Windows) or ⌘+⇧ Shift (Mac) while clicking on the master page thumbnail. Doing so will unlock the master page and allow you to move and manipulate objects on the master page.
- Objects placed on the master page will appear on every page (i.e. page number, book title, column placement, etc). Unlock master page items when you need to change elements that ordinarily are the same on each page, like the page number, section, and publication date. Select the pages list from the Pages window.
- To unlock all the Master Pages at the same time, click "▾" in the upper-right corner of the Pages window, then click Override All Master Page Items.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you unlock a locked text box in InDesign?

Richard Marczewski Jr.
Full Stack Marketer
Richard Marczewski Jr. is a Full Stack Marketer and owner of Creativity Scientist in Worcester, Massachusetts. With over 10 years of experience, he specializes in marketing, digital media, and content creation. He works with businesses as their outsourced storytelling partner and offers website development, videography, and e-commerce solutions. He started the hipster mustache trend in 2006 and is a classic Nintendo expert. Richard has an MBA in Management from Fitchburg State University.

Richard Marczewski Jr.

Full Stack Marketer

Expert Answer

Use the shortcut key combination "Command" + "Option" + "2" (Mac) or "Ctrl" + "Alt" + "2" (Windows) to unlock the selected object.

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