Suddenly Unable to Drag Objects Around with Mouse: Already trashed preferences and ensured no interference with browser plugins

[SquidGee]

In the middle of my workflow I became unable to drag objects around with my mouse. I can click and drag on anchor points, nudge them with the arrow keys, and otherwise edit the object. I have ensured the objects are not locked of some weird setting is on preventing movement.

This happens in all documents. I tried all troubleshooting suggested in this article without luck. I am using Mac OS Sierra 10.12.6 with InDesign CC  2014.2 10.2.0.69

No recent updates have been installed. I trashed all my preferences and restarted my computer with no change.

Any ideas?

[Barb Binder]

This has been coming up on occasion. Sometimes clearing prefs and cache works (not for you though), other times it's another program interfering, so rebooting and not opening up any other applications may help.

I found the most thorough list of steps to fix it in this thread, from an Adobe employee, 3rd from the bottom.

Unable to move objects with mouse

[SquidGee]

Thank you. I ended up uninstalling and reinstalling and that cleared it up for me. Wish I knew the root of the issue, but I am glad it's back to normal now!

[oskarq2]

I uninstalled, then reinstalled indesign

Deleted applicationpreference.plist, but either one has worked for me.

Problem remaining.

[Steve Werner]

Here's how to delete preferences in InDesign (it doesn't use the .plist file):

Trash, Replace, Reset, or Restore the application Preferences

Uninstalling and reinstalling also DOESN'T delete preferences.

[Erica Gamet]

For me, before I mess with clearing ID prefs, I prefer to rebuild my Mac's permissions...gets rid of several pesky oddities (like my empty Tab panel). That's in Disk Utility...in case it happens again...hopefully you're golden for now.