Select the anchored object using the Selection tool. The blue square indicator appears near the upper-right corner of the frame.
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Transform anchored objects
Last updated on
Jun 2, 2026
Learn how to rotate, scale, and reposition anchored objects in Adobe InDesign.
Anchored objects inherit rotation and skew from their parent text frames, but you can transform them independently without affecting the text anchor. Transform anchored objects to adjust their appearance, such as rotating, scaling, or repositioning them, while maintaining their connection to the text flow. The reference point determines how transformations are applied, and rotation and scaling occur relative to it.
Select the Rotate tool and drag away from the reference point to rotate the object. Hold Shift while dragging to constrain rotation to 45° increments.
Select the Scale tool and drag away from the reference point to resize the object. Hold Shift while dragging to maintain the object's aspect ratio.
Use the Selection tool and drag the object to move it to a new position.
For custom-positioned anchored objects, adjust the X Offset and Y Offset values in Object > Anchored Object > Options.
Select Window > Object & Layout > Transform, then enter rotation angles or scale values to apply precise transformations.
If the anchored object extends beyond the text frame boundaries after rotation, select Object > Anchored Object > Options, then change the Position type to Custom to adjust its placement.
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