Expert: Glen Demers - 9/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: I am trying to edit a document that I have previously edited without any problem, but the type tool is "locking up" and will not allow me to select text. A straight line cursor appears in the upper left corner of each frame, allowing me to type new text. That's all I can do. Can you help?

ANSWER: Hi Debbie,

If my previous suggestion doesn't work, you can always reset your preferences.

Launch InDesign, and it is starting up,

on a PC hold down Control, ALT, and Shift until a window pops up asking you to delete your prefs. Click yes.

on a Mac hold down Command, Control, Option, and Shift until a window pops up asking you to delete your prefs. Click yes.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more InDesign tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/indesign.htm

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Neither suggestion worked, Glen. My InDesign has not crashed or been shut down improperly. I tried your clearing preferences advice and that did not work. I notice that an earlier document does not have the locked icon when I open it, and I can edit text there. I have inadvertently done something to cause this problem in this one file, but I don't know what. Now, some of the text has shifted inexplicably, too. I really need to solve this somehow. I am not going back to square one. This is a 300-page book with a deadline approaching.

Answer
Hi Debbie,

Every InDesign file you open should have the lock icon appear, this is so someone doesn't try to open the same document when you're working on a network. It should have an .IDLK extension.

Try making a copy of the InDesign file you can't edit or go to File>Open and select Copy or Open Copy. Then save it to a different folder.

Hope this helps,
Glen Demers
Prepress Technician, Best Printing Online
www.bestprintingonline.com

For more InDesign tips please visit our help pages here: http://www.bestprintingonline.com/indesign.htm