Unable to reorder swatch groups in InDesign Swatches panel

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In swatches have create a colour group in InDesign (latest version) which contain regular colours I use. I would like to move this group/folder to the top of the list of swatches. So I would like move my 'Primary colours' and 'Secondary colours' folder above the general swatches listed there in my attahed screen grab. Any ideas why this can't be done if at all?

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

I agree that it would be nice to be able to drag the groups anywhere up or down amongst the Swatches, but it does not work that way as of 2026. Have you considered setting the view of Swatches away from List view to small or large thumbnail view (in the meantime)?

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Mike Witherell

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unique_person4993

Known Participant

Replying in 2026 out of solidarity as well! This is definitely still frustrating, and also extremely confusing to be honest, I legitimately thought something was broken because this is just something that doesn’t make any sense? Why in the world would we not be able to move groups above the other swatches?

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Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @unique_person4993,

Thanks for sharing this. I understand how this behavior can be limiting when trying to organize swatches more efficiently.

I’m currently checking this with the product team to confirm whether this is expected behavior or if there’s any flexibility planned around it. I’ll keep you posted here as soon as I have an update.

Appreciate your patience in the meantime.

Abhishek

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Sean326152677z2j

Participant

Replying in 2025 out of solidarity for this frustrating quality of life (and still present) minor ssue. I wonder if it's intentional to discourage people buying more economical screen sizes and catering them to their needs. It sorta mandates workflows use larger screens or rely on external monitors etc. Unfortunately it's the only way to really show the full palette at all times. Otherwise, on a 13/14" macbook, you can see maybe 2 swatches at once without constantly rearranging your workspace.

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Lukas Engqvist

Community Expert

As far as I know the sort order of swatches is swatcehs before folders. You find this sorting of folders first or last in some file systems also. You could make a folder with the other colours (except colours in [] that are fixed)

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krissAuthor

Participant

Thanks, that's shame. Yeah I could make a folder with the other colour, however the other colours grow all the time as I import/copy and paste vector files so it would be too time consuming. I reckon InDesign should alow you to place all material in the swatches palette in the order you want. Oh well, it is what it is.

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