why don't my various application panels pop out any more

Forum|Forum|1 day ago
May 29, 2026
3 replies
25 views

For more that 20 years I have used InDesign in the same way. My saved workspace goes back probably 10 years. But with the last release or so, all the panels behave differently.

I have always had all my panels (swatches, Align, character, Pagagraph, etc) dock in the right side of the frame in a small stack. If I clicked on one, it popped out and I could do my work, then click on it again and it would nest back in.

Now my workspace is constantly reseting, the panels on the right don’t react to a click. I have to pull them out to float to use them.

What happened and where is the change documented?

Barb Binder

Community Expert

it doesn’t make a difference. The behavior is in the program. They changed somethign

This recording is from InDesign 2026. Nothing has changed in how workspaces are created, used or managed.

However, over time, InDesign preferences can become corrupt and InDesign will begin behaving erratically, just as you are describing.

Here is a second copy of the link that Leo gave you: https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/ Please work your way to the bottom of the post and then come back and report the results.

As an alternative, you could also download the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to fully remove InDesign, and then reinstall it. https://helpx.adobe.com/creative-cloud/apps/troubleshoot/diagnostics-repair-tools/run-creative-cloud-cleaner-tool.html (This is not the same thing as uninstalling InDesign from the Creative Cloud Desktop App. That leaves preference remnants behind and so the problem that caused you to uninstall it will still be there after the reinstall. Either rebuild cache/preferences or use the Adobe Creative Cloud Cleaner tool.)

I think resetting preferences is quicker, but both will get you to the same place. I think once you do one or the other, you'll be back to work normally again.

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

H

HabitatTHKAuthor

Inspiring

Yes, I think it’s the latest version that caused this.

leo.r

Community Expert

Does it mean that if you revert to InDesign 21.3, the issue goes away? You can revert from the Creative Cloud app > InDesign > 3-dot menu > Other Versions menu

leo.r

Community Expert

I recall seeing similar reports from other users.

First, try to reset preferences and, especially, caches:

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

Will it make a difference?

H

HabitatTHKAuthor

Inspiring

it doesn’t make a difference. The behavior is in the program. They changed somethign

leo.r

Community Expert

Like I mentioned, I saw other users reporting this problem, but I could never reproduce it. Just to make sure, is your InDesign updated to its latest version, and what’s your operating system version?

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