About anchored objects

Anchored objects attach page items such as images, text frames, or shapes to a specific location in text, ensuring they move with the content as it reflows. This keeps related content together even when text is edited, resized, or repositioned within the document.

How anchored objects work

InDesign connects anchored objects to text using an anchor marker, a small symbol inserted at the exact point where the object is attached. This marker acts as the reference point. When the text moves to another page or column, the anchored object moves with it, maintaining its relationship with the content.

The anchor marker does not take up visible space in the text. You can position the anchored object inline with the text, above the line, or in a custom position relative to the text frame, page, or margins.

Anchored objects can also inherit properties such as rotation and skew from their parent text frame, helping maintain visual consistency even when positioned outside the frame.

Position types

InDesign provides three positioning options for anchored objects, depending on how you want them to behave within the layout:

Inline: Positions the object within the text flow, aligned to the baseline like a character. It moves with the text and is suitable for small graphics such as icons or symbols.

Above Line: Places the object above the line containing the anchor marker, in its own space. You can control alignment relative to the text or page, making it useful for elements like pull quotes or small visuals.

Custom: Allows precise placement relative to the text frame, column, page, or margins. This option is ideal for sidebars, callouts, or larger elements that require more flexible positioning.

Common uses for anchored objects

Anchored objects are useful when content needs to stay connected to specific text:

• Sidebars and callouts near related paragraphs
• Figure numbers and captions with their images
• Icons or symbols linked to specific words or concepts
• Pull quotes tied to nearby content
• Margin notes with supplementary information
• Product images aligned with descriptions

They are especially helpful in documents with frequent edits, where objects need to move automatically with the text.

Behavior with text frame properties

Anchored objects respond to changes in their parent text frames. When a text frame is rotated or skewed, anchored objects inherit those transformations, even if they are positioned outside the frame. You can still adjust rotation or skew for individual anchored objects without affecting the anchor relationship.

When a text frame is resized, inline and above-line objects adjust their position within the layout. Custom-positioned objects maintain their position relative to defined reference points, which may shift their placement on the page while remaining aligned with the anchor.

Working with type on a path

Inline and above-line anchored objects can be used with type on a path, allowing graphics to follow curved or custom text paths. Custom-positioned objects are not supported because positioning relationships are not defined for non-rectangular paths.

Relationship to traditional links

Anchored objects appear in the Links panel along with placed assets, but they are part of the document. Unlike traditional links, they don't reference external files and cannot be updated or replaced. The Links panel helps track their status and location.

Understanding anchored objects helps maintain flexible layouts where content stays aligned even as the layout changes.