Remove overrides or break object style links

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to clear overrides, remove ignored attributes, or break object style links to restore formatting in Adobe InDesign.

When formatting differs from the applied style definition, InDesign treats it as an override. A plus icon next to the style name indicates the override.

Clear formatting defined by the style

Select the object or group you want to update.

Open the Object Styles panel by selecting Window > Styles > Object Styles.

Locate the applied style name with a plus icon indicating overrides exist.

Select Clear overrides icon at the lower-right of the Object Styles panel.

Clear attributes the style ignores

Remove attributes even when the style doesn’t control them. For example, if the style ignores fill and you apply a red fill, clearing ignored attributes removes the fill.

Select the object or group you want to update.

Open the Object Styles panel by selecting Window > Styles > Object Styles.

Select Clear attributes not defined by style icon

at the lower-right of the Object Styles panel.

If a category is turned off instead of ignored, use Clear Overrides.

Break the link to an object style

Select the object with the applied object style.

Select Window > Styles > Object Styles.

Select the panel menu icon, then select Break Link to Style. If you don’t want to keep the object style formatting, select [None] in the Object Styles panel.