Group, lock, and duplicate objects

You can combine several objects into a group so that they are treated as a single unit. You can then move or transform the objects without affecting their individual positions or attributes. For example, you might group the objects in a logo design so that you can move and scale the logo as one unit.

Groups can also be nested—grouped into subgroups within larger groups. Use the Selection, Direct Selection, and Group Selection tools to select different levels of a nested group’s hierarchy.

If you’re working with a stack of overlapping objects, and you group some objects that aren’t adjacent in the stacking order, the selected objects will be pulled together in the stacking order, right behind the frontmost selected object. (For example, when objects are stacked as A, B, C, D from front to back, and you group B and D together, the stacking order becomes A, B, D, C.) If you group objects that exist on different named layers, all of the objects move to the frontmost layer on which you selected an object. Also, the objects you select must either be all locked or all unlocked.

Group and ungroup objects on different layers

You can also use the Layers panel to group objects that are placed on different layers of a document. For more details on layers, click here.

When you group objects on different layers, InDesign groups the objects on the topmost layer containing at least one object in the group. However, InDesign remembers the layers to which each object belongs. This implies that, by default, if you then ungroup the objects, all the objects are restored back to their original layers.

You can also choose to leave the ungrouped objects on the topmost layer. To do this, uncheck the Ungroup Remembers Layers option in the Layers panel flyout menu.

Lock or unlock objects

You can use the Lock command to specify that you don’t want certain objects to move in your document. Locked objects stay locked when a document is saved, closed, and then reopened.

As long as an object is locked, it cannot be moved. However, you can select locked objects if you turn off the Prevent Selection Of Locked Objects option in General preferences. When you select a locked object, you can change attributes such as color.

Hide objects

Hidden objects are not printed or exported, and they cannot be selected.

Duplicate objects

You can duplicate objects using a number of different methods.

Duplicate an object using the Duplicate command

Use the Duplicate command to replicate a selected object instantly. The new copy appears on the layout slightly offset down and to the right from the original.

Duplicate a selected object as you transform

You can duplicate an object each time you change its position, orientation, or proportions. For example, you can create a flower by drawing one petal, setting its reference point at the base of the petal, and repeatedly rotating at incremental angles, simultaneously duplicating to leave behind a new copy of the petal at each angle.

Use Step and Repeat to duplicate objects

Use the Step and Repeat command to instantly create rows or columns of duplicates. For example, you can fill a page with evenly spaced duplicates of a single business card design.

Duplicate objects into a grid

By dragging and using modifier keys, you can create a grid of object identical to the object being duplicated.

Create nonprinting objects

You might want to create objects that appear onscreen, but will not be printed or appear in portable versions of the document.