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

Hi ​@HabitatTHK,

Sorry for the experience you're having with this. Adding to the suggestions already shared by the experts, could you please confirm the exact InDesign version you're using by going to Help > About InDesign? It would also be helpful to know the exact operating system version you're running.

Could you please try creating a brand-new workspace, dock the panels to the right side as desired, and then test whether the panels expand and collapse correctly? You can refer to this guide for managing and creating workspaces:
https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/customizing-workspace.html

If you're on macOS, please also try toggling Window > Application Frame and check whether the behavior changes with the Application Frame enabled versus disabled.

Additionally, are you using a secondary external display? If so, does the issue occur only on the external monitor, or do you see the same behavior on the primary display as well?

You can also try the following:
Rename the CEP folder to CEP.old from the location below and then relaunch InDesign.
​macOS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe
Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe

If that doesn't help, rename the UXP folder to UXP.old from the following locations:

macOS: /Library/Application Support/Adobe
macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Adobe
Windows: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe
Windows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe

Please let us know your observations after trying the above.

Looking forward to your update.

Thanks,
Abhishek

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.

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

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?