Group and lock objects

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to group and lock objects in Adobe InDesign to manage multiple elements as one unit and prevent accidental changes while working on layout.

Grouping allows you to combine multiple objects so they can be moved, transformed, or edited as a single unit while maintaining their individual properties. Locking prevents objects from being moved or modified accidentally, helping protect completed elements during layout editing. Objects can also be grouped across layers, and InDesign manages their layer placement and restoration when grouping or ungrouping.

Group objects

Select the objects you want to group using the Selection tool.

Select Object > Group.

Ungroup objects

Select the grouped objects using the Selection tool.

Select Object > Ungroup.

Lock objects

Select the objects you want to lock using the Selection tool.

Select Object > Lock.

Unlock objects

Using the Selection tool, select the lock   icon that appears when you hover over a locked object.

Select Object > Unlock All on Spread.