Manage and update anchored objects

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to view, reposition, resize, or release anchored objects in Adobe InDesign while maintaining their relationship to the text flow.

After creating anchored objects in an InDesign document, you may need to adjust their position, size, or placement relative to the text. InDesign provides several options to manage anchored objects while keeping them connected to the text flow. Anchored objects also inherit rotation and skew from their parent text frames, even when positioned outside those frames.

View anchor markers and relationships

To view anchor markers in the text, select Type > Show Hidden Characters.

To view a dashed line from an anchor marker to its associated custom-positioned object, select the anchored object with the Selection tool, then select View > Extras > Show Text Threads. A dashed line extends from the anchor marker to the object's current reference point.

To view anchor symbols on anchored objects, choose View > Extras > Show Frame Edges. Viewing anchor symbols helps determine which objects are anchored.

Reposition an anchored object manually

Move anchored objects on the page while maintaining their connection to the anchor marker. The method depends on the object's position type.

Reposition inline objects

Select the anchored object using the Selection tool or Direct Selection tool.

Drag the object vertically to adjust its position relative to the baseline. Inline objects in horizontal text frames can only move vertically; inline objects in vertical text frames can only move horizontally.

Place the insertion point before or after the object with the Type tool.

Select Window > Type & Tables > Character.

Adjust the spacing between the object and surrounding text using the Kerning (in thousandths of an em) field.

To move the object outside the text frame, select Object > Anchored Object > Options, then set Position to Custom.

Reposition custom-positioned objects

Select the anchored object using the Selection tool or Direct Selection tool.

Drag the object horizontally or vertically to reposition it.
Note that the object maintains its position relative to the anchor marker based on the Anchored Object Options.

Moving the text frame also moves the anchored object unless it's positioned relative to page margins or page edges.

Resize an anchored object

Select Object > Anchored Object > Options, then ensure Prevent Manual Positioning is deselected.

Select the anchored object using the Selection tool or Direct Selection tool.

Drag a side handle to resize in one direction or drag a corner handle to resize.

Hold Shift while dragging a corner handle to maintain proportions.

Note

Note: If an inline or above line object exceeds the text frame height, it may become overset and not display. Custom-positioned objects may also shift to maintain alignment based on their reference point.

Release an anchored object

Select the anchored object with the Selection tool or Direct Selection tool.

Select Object > Anchored Object > Release. The object remains at its current page position but no longer moves with the text flow.

For inline or above line objects, select the anchor marker using the Type tool, then cut and paste the object outside the text frame.

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