Skip to main content
dlynch30
dlynch30
Participant
September 25, 2017
Answered

New Document dialog box not visible when choosing File > New Illustrator CC (2017)

  • September 25, 2017
  • 2 replies
  • 8930 views

I just installed CC2017 Illustrator, I am a student doing a free week demo of Illustrator.  I need to make a document for class but, when I click on file>new, the new document dialog box does not open, nothing happens at all.

I have only used Illustrator a couple of times before.  I had CC2015.5 Illustrator installed on a Windows 10 laptop last year and it worked just fine.  I had to reformat my hard drive and have installed Creative Cloud and photography software, CC2017, without any problems in running the programs.  I need to use Illustrator for class for the next 3 months, any ideas of how to get it to work, to open a new document?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Cari Jansen

    As listed earlier it could a result of working on dual monitors, but I've also seen issues where a dialog box disappears BEHIND the main application document window. This happens to me once in a while when working on high-resolution displays.

    When you launch Illustrator and choose File > New, are the remainder of the menus greyed out?

    • This means the dialog box is open somewhere... possibly even behind the Illustrator document window.

    What happens if you press Ctrl+Enter. Does a new document appear?

    • If the dialog box is open somewhere this shortcut will create a new document.

    So how can you fix it? As a one off this will probably work:

    • Launch Illustrator
    • See if you can drag the title bar and move the Illustrator window to say the lower right hand corner of your screen (some of it will disappear, make sure you still see the tiles bar though, so you can grab it and move it back).  Note, if you can't do this, click on the Maximise button in the top right of the screen (this will 'release' it so you can move it around).
    • Now choose File > New
    • Can you see the dialog box? If yes, then select it, and hopefully it will come to the front.  You can then set the settings, click Enter and move Illustrator application window back into place.

    However if it is more permanent problem try resetting the Illustrator preferences:

    Let us know how you get on. Hopefully the problem will be resolvable.

    2 replies

    C
    Cari JansenCorrect answer
    Legend
    September 27, 2017

    As listed earlier it could a result of working on dual monitors, but I've also seen issues where a dialog box disappears BEHIND the main application document window. This happens to me once in a while when working on high-resolution displays.

    When you launch Illustrator and choose File > New, are the remainder of the menus greyed out?

    • This means the dialog box is open somewhere... possibly even behind the Illustrator document window.

    What happens if you press Ctrl+Enter. Does a new document appear?

    • If the dialog box is open somewhere this shortcut will create a new document.

    So how can you fix it? As a one off this will probably work:

    • Launch Illustrator
    • See if you can drag the title bar and move the Illustrator window to say the lower right hand corner of your screen (some of it will disappear, make sure you still see the tiles bar though, so you can grab it and move it back).  Note, if you can't do this, click on the Maximise button in the top right of the screen (this will 'release' it so you can move it around).
    • Now choose File > New
    • Can you see the dialog box? If yes, then select it, and hopefully it will come to the front.  You can then set the settings, click Enter and move Illustrator application window back into place.

    However if it is more permanent problem try resetting the Illustrator preferences:

    Let us know how you get on. Hopefully the problem will be resolvable.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 25, 2017

    Could the dialog box just be located on a second monitor that is now unplugged?

    Could you try and in the Preferences > General turn on the checkbox for the Legacy "New document" dialog and see if it works?

    Is a printer connected and turned on?

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices