Is this a old file with an old datum symbol ? ( UG V17 or similar ?) or maybe an imported symbol from Catia/other?
Very old datum symbols might not have the capability to do the sideways movement.
Many (most?) of the drafting objects have been re-written in terms of the underlying code, even if the appearance on the drawing is exactly the same as always.
The Shift+drag sideways was introduced "somewhere in time". Has not always been there.
NX has always had the philosophy to allow old type data in new releases and also to upgrade to later "underlying code".
- There is a Version up ( -drafting objects) , in NX8.5 it's under Preferences -Drafting- General, i would guess it's the same in NX8.0 ( NX12 : Menu- Tools-Version up)
And, btw, you should not listen to users of different systems too much.
If one system comes up with something revolutionary, the competing systems will "mimic" within a few years. This also applies to minor details, like dragging datum symbols sideways. ("System XYZ can do "this", we must implement that too.")
NX8.0, Is there a good reason for using this version ?
Regards,
Tomas