Hi,
There is an issue when moving objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys.
Steps to reproduce
1. Enter in Continuous view
2. Select Edit Objects tool
3. Select an object with mouse
4. Move the object from one page to another using keyboard arrow keys
Issue
The object disappear
GIF
Additionnal info
- Reproducible in Two Pages view
- In Foxit PDF, you can't move using arrow keys beyond the page boundaries
Foxit PDF - GIF
Based on Foxit PDF behavior, it may be a technical limitation so the solution is to probably have a similar behavior on PDFXCE.
Thanks for investigating,
Can't move objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys SOLVED
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Can't move objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys
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Re: Can't move objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys
Hello Loki@99,
The PDF pages are each a "canvas" with a coordinate system and several "boxes" in that coordinate system. So you can have a "Crop" box - which means that you only see items that do fall in that box, but this does not prevent you from having objects outside of the crop box.
So when you use the arrow keys to move an object - you are still moving it in the same coordinate system for that page it was on - you are just moving it outside of the Crop box for that same page.
If you need to move it to another page - you can use Cut and Paste as keyboard shortcuts, or you can drag the selection with your mouse - and those operations will correctly transfer the object over to the coordinate system of the new page.
Kind regards,
Stefan
The PDF pages are each a "canvas" with a coordinate system and several "boxes" in that coordinate system. So you can have a "Crop" box - which means that you only see items that do fall in that box, but this does not prevent you from having objects outside of the crop box.
So when you use the arrow keys to move an object - you are still moving it in the same coordinate system for that page it was on - you are just moving it outside of the Crop box for that same page.
If you need to move it to another page - you can use Cut and Paste as keyboard shortcuts, or you can drag the selection with your mouse - and those operations will correctly transfer the object over to the coordinate system of the new page.
Kind regards,
Stefan
Re: Can't move objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys
Hi Stefan,
I personally don't really have an issue with it but looks like it is some odd behavior compared to Foxit PDF.Stefan - PDF-XChange wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:13 pm Hello Loki@99,
The PDF pages are each a "canvas" with a coordinate system and several "boxes" in that coordinate system. So you can have a "Crop" box - which means that you only see items that do fall in that box, but this does not prevent you from having objects outside of the crop box.
So when you use the arrow keys to move an object - you are still moving it in the same coordinate system for that page it was on - you are just moving it outside of the Crop box for that same page.
If you need to move it to another page - you can use Cut and Paste as keyboard shortcuts, or you can drag the selection with your mouse - and those operations will correctly transfer the object over to the coordinate system of the new page.
Major Stylus topics
- RemoveAnnotationsWithEraser T#6903
- MiniPopupMenuOnTextSelection T#6894
- AbnormalSpikes forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?p=179935&hilit=spikes#p179935
- ForceEraserPreview forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=42380
- RemoveAnnotationsWithEraser T#6903
- MiniPopupMenuOnTextSelection T#6894
- AbnormalSpikes forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?p=179935&hilit=spikes#p179935
- ForceEraserPreview forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=42380
- Stefan - PDF-XChange
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Re: Can't move objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys
Hello Loki@99,
It is different indeed - as if you are dragging with the mouse - we will try to make sure that the whole shape is then placed inside the Crop box, but if you need to "hide" a part of such a shape - you can achieve it with the arrow keys.
E.g. here I am trying to drag a shape with my mouse: And the moment I release the mouse - I get this result: Whereas with the arrow keys I can get this: And the shape will stay there.
Kind regards,
Stefan
It is different indeed - as if you are dragging with the mouse - we will try to make sure that the whole shape is then placed inside the Crop box, but if you need to "hide" a part of such a shape - you can achieve it with the arrow keys.
E.g. here I am trying to drag a shape with my mouse: And the moment I release the mouse - I get this result: Whereas with the arrow keys I can get this: And the shape will stay there.
Kind regards,
Stefan
Re: Can't move objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys
What you said makes sense if it's a "part" of an object which is still on the page.Stefan - PDF-XChange wrote: ↑Tue Feb 04, 2025 1:32 pm It is different indeed - as if you are dragging with the mouse - we will try to make sure that the whole shape is then placed inside the Crop box, but if you need to "hide" a part of such a shape - you can achieve it with the arrow keys.
What I'm talking about here is if the whole object is not on the page anymore. As seen in the GIF I sent above
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- RemoveAnnotationsWithEraser T#6903
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- ForceEraserPreview forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=42380
- RemoveAnnotationsWithEraser T#6903
- MiniPopupMenuOnTextSelection T#6894
- AbnormalSpikes forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?p=179935&hilit=spikes#p179935
- ForceEraserPreview forum.pdf-xchange.com/viewtopic.php?t=42380
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Re: Can't move objects across pages using keyboard arrow keys SOLVED
Hello Loki@99,
Thanks! Yes - it is possible to completely move the object outside of the crop area, but still have it in that page's coordinate system.
E.g. you might want to have some form fields that persom some calculation, but are not shown to the user - so having a tool to achieve that is not a bad thing. You just need to be aware of how each move method works and what the result will be
Kind regards,
Stefan
Thanks! Yes - it is possible to completely move the object outside of the crop area, but still have it in that page's coordinate system.
E.g. you might want to have some form fields that persom some calculation, but are not shown to the user - so having a tool to achieve that is not a bad thing. You just need to be aware of how each move method works and what the result will be

Kind regards,
Stefan