- Types of Frames
- Creating Basic Shapes
- Selecting Objects
- Moving Objects
- Replicating Objects
- Resizing Objects
- Using the Transform Tools
- Using the Transform Panel
- Using the Transform Commands
- Using the Arrange Commands
- Aligning Objects
- Smart Dimensions; Smart Spacing
- Using the Gap Tool
- Grouping and Pasting Into Objects
- Using the Control Panel for Objects
- Using the Measure Tool
- Using the Info Panel with Objects
- Locking Objects
- Selecting Frames
Grouping and Pasting Into Objects
You can group objects so you can easily select and modify them as a unit.
To group objects:
- Select the objects you want to group.
- Choose Object > Group. A dotted-line bounding box encloses all the objects .
You can also create groups within groups. This is called nesting.
To nest groups:
- Select the grouped objects.
- Hold the Shift key and select another object or group.
- Choose Object > Group.
Once you have grouped objects, you can select individual objects within the group.
To select groups or objects within groups:
- Click once on any item in the group. The group is selected as a whole.
or
- Double-click to select a specific item in the group .
To use commands to select objects within groups:
- Use the Selection tool to select the group.
- Choose Object > Select > Content. This selects the topmost object in the group.
- Choose Object > Select > Previous Object. This selects the object that is layered below the selected object.
or
Choose Object > Select > Next Object. This selects the object that is directly above the selected object.
To ungroup objects:
- Select the group.
- Choose Object > Ungroup.
- If you have nested groups, continue to ungroup the objects as necessary.
You can also paste an object into a frame. InDesign refers to the object that is pasted as the content. It refers to the frame that holds the object as the container.
To paste an object into another:
- Select the first object and position it over the second object .
- Choose Edit > Cut to place the first object on the computer clipboard.
- Select the second object and choose Edit > Paste Into. The content appears within the borders of the container .
To remove pasted-in content:
- Use the Direct Selection tool to select the pasted-in content.
- Choose Edit > Cut.
There are some special techniques for selecting just the container or the content of pasted-in objects.
To select just the container object:
- Click on the frame that holds the content with the Direct Selection tool to select the container .
or
- Click with the Selection tool and then choose Object > Select > Container.
To select just the content object:
- Click inside the container with the Direct Selection tool to select the content .
or
- Click with the Selection tool and then choose Object > Select > Content.
You use a special technique to move the content inside the container.
To move only the content object:
- Select the content object.
- Position the Selection tool inside the content. A “doughnut” circle appears along with the Hand tool. This indicates that you can move the content within the object.
- Drag the doughnut circle . The content moves within the container.
To move only the container:
- Select the container object.
- Use the Direct Selection tool to drag the container by its center point. The container moves without disturbing the content.