Bookmarks, pages, comments side panel moved to the right

[AniMM]

Hello!

With the latest update to Adobe Acrobat Pro (and Adobe Reader too, I assume), the bookmarks side panel that used to live on the left side of the screen has moved to the right, swapping places with the tools side panel. This is completely ineffective and counterproductive, especially when working with large documents with a long table of contents that needs to be referenced repeatedly. Western cultures/languages that use the Latin alphabet read from left to right. This is why all LMS systems and e-learning modules also follow this layout: table of contents on the left, detailed content on the right. Is there a way to configure/personalize my view and move the bookmarks, pages, and comments to the left? I could't find any settings and it the side panels cannot be dragged to a different location. If it is a design fault, then Adobe, please consider one of the following fixes in your upcoming updates:

• Make the interface configurable where elements like the side panels (bookmarks, pages, comments) as well as the tools can be set to display on either side of the screen, making it a user choice.
• Provide the option of floating windows for the side panels (like so many other Adobe products like Ps,Ai, etc.)
• Move the bookmarks, pages, and comments side panel back to the left, while leaving the floating mini-toolbar on the left (as it appears in the new layout). 
• Return to the original layout (bookmarks-pages-comments on the left, tools on the right). This would still be better than the new layout, and would help our daily workflows immensely.

Thank you!

[try67]

The only way is to go back to the old UI. To do so click the Options button at the top left corner (Windows) or open the View menu (Mac) and select Disable New Acrobat.

And you can vote here to get rid of the new version: https://acrobat.uservoice.com/forums/590923-acrobat-for-windows-and-mac/suggestions/47082691-ditch-t...

[AniMM]

@try67 , Many thanks for the quick fix. This really helped! Just hoping Adobe will rethink the new layout, or at least gives users the choice in future updates. At the end of the day, it should be all about user preference, effectiveness, and efficiency! Thanks again!

[MAT30729795clcp]

"Adobe will rethink the new layout,"

Just another stupid layout change. Adobe and "think" its contradiction.

[ReallyTorqued]

. . . AKA "oxymoron."

[different_Mirage4962]

User interface seem to keep forgetting the purpose of UI's: USABILITY for the USERS.

Instead they often follow any new poped up UI feature or simple personal preferences.

Dear Adobe, you are about throwing yourself into the trash with unproductive UI changes like this.

Thanks for the help above

[wworld]

Thank you so much! The new update is unworkable.

[ccleary_FDDCM]

Omigosh, yes! It did not even occur to me this was fixable - I thought my new job had just gotten a streamlined version of Adobe. So glad you answered the question and that AniMM asked it. Thanks!

[Gary35372988vec8]

Oh my gosh, THANK YOU!!!!!! I use Adobe to work two businesses and the new layout reduced my productivity significantly.  Thanks so much for this fix, a real life saver!!!!!!

[Adema & Associates - Sean]

This new layout has been such a pain, thanks a ton for mentioning the ability to disable the new acrobat!

[Rinwis4000]

Very helpful, thanks! A bonus of switching back to the old version is that you get to provide feedback

[Franky File]

Thank you so much for this! 

I don't think it's a mistake by Adobe. Putting those tools (most of which require a subscription) to the left surely will promote them. It's akin to a grocery store having the milk in the back (the thing most people buy -- drug stores do the same with a pharmacy in the back). We must walk past all the other things they want us to buy (and it's slighly inconvenient because of the time we have to spend).

At least we can "go back" to the other GUI. 

[anitam1405587]

Thanks so much for this tip. I absolutely HATE the new UI, it's a pain to use in so many ways....it is most definitely NOT an improvement in any way.

[MKE_writer]

Thank you so much! I have had utter pain in my brain with the new Acrobat for two weeks now after changing into a new project. Bookmarks on the right without a possibility to move the pane is just counterintuitive and incomprehensible to me. Today I can be just so much more productive at work, thanks : ) 

[Omar27215270sn9f]

Thanks. Disrupting your customer's productivity habits is a no-go. Give the option to retain "old layout" at the very least.

[try67]

They did. See above.

[Loretta39002020kwju]

THANK YOU !!!

[vikram_7955]

What a sigh of relief, I never knew that I would be so much affected by such an unnecessary change. This is how the entire software industry is running these days.

[bill_7596]

Thank you for the tip. 

Everyone I know reads left to right.  Please keep it on the left.

[MSHarris]

Are there any tradeoffs that I should consider before disabling new Acrobat? The UI change is frustrating on the level of breaking the classic pen tool in Illustrator.

[Tariq Ahmad Dar]

Hi @MSHarris, 

Thanks for reaching out with your question and sorry for the delayed response.

Thank you for sharing your feedback! I completely understand how a change in UI can feel disruptive, especially when you’re accustomed to a specific workflow.
Regarding your question, here are some tradeoffs to consider before disabling the new Acrobat experience:

1. Access to New Features: The new interface often includes improvements or new features designed to enhance productivity, which are not available in the classic view.

2. Future Updates: As we continue developing the new experience, it will receive priority for updates, bug fixes, and optimizations. 

3. Learning Curve: Switching back might provide temporary relief, but staying with the new version could help you adjust gradually and avoid disruptions in the long term as the new experience becomes the standard.

We’re constantly refining the new UI based on user feedback, and I’ll make sure your input about the pen tool is shared with the team. If there’s anything specific that’s particularly challenging, feel free to share, and I’ll do my best to assist you or pass it along for review.

~Tariq

[DLinscott]

This response is not useful and ignores the usage issues. It is not about a learning curve for feature changes or adapating gradually, but changing the interface in a way that makes it far less useful.
The navigation is necessary on the left. First, who looks for navigation on the right? Also, for example, I need the navigation constantly open especially while comments are also open on the right. Bookmarks on the right cripples the product for our use, and should not be a condition to access other new features.
Please reconsider this terrible design choice. It is not an upgrade.

[shonedeep]

Thank you! Super helpful suggestion. Adobe - please think before you change things!

[MarLo_31]

Thank you for that!! It was really driving me nuts. It's counter intuitive as least for me. I hope they add the option to Choose how you want it. Thanks!

[Annelize33178859eit1]

Thank you for the suggestions, I agree completely.