Skip to main content
K
Kwawn
Participant
September 8, 2020
Answered

Font drop down menu isn't showing up in the control panel

  • September 8, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 3263 views

While I was using Illustrator, the font drop down menu that was visible right next to the character panel suddenly disappeared. Now I have to click on the character panel every time I want to switch fonts. Is there a way to have the font drop down menu appear back on the control panel?

    Correct answer Charu Rajput

    Hi,

    Are you using two screens? This fonts dropdown will show when, it gets minimum width for the screen. I mean I have mac with 15 inch. It doesn't display on it and when I connect another screen with 21 inch, where it shows the way you required. In short, it depends on resolution of the screen.

     

    I hope this helps you.

    3 replies

    C
    Captivating_wisdom157F
    Participating Frequently
    January 21, 2021

    I have looked everywhere for an answer to this question and no one seemed to have an answer. I now have what worked for me. I just guessed at the issue and solved it. I went to the flyout menu of the control panel (sometimes called the hamburger), it seemed that just about every item was checked. I started unchecking things I didn't need or want in the control box. For example transparency, crop image, anchor points, live paint, gradient tool - all of the items I could easily access in my tools menu. I didn't need them in the control bar. After unchecking quite a few of these my drop down font menu reappeared! I still have that annoying drop down greyed out menu, that won't seem to go away, but at least my drop down menu is BACK!!! Whoo hoo! Pass this around please, I know this question is everywhere, and no one seems to have an answer. 

    S
    Steve22206845j1si
    Participant
    April 11, 2025

    Yes, I have same issue. Illustrator randomly hides/removes the drop down menu to the right of Character panel. Doesn't seem to have anything to do with having two monitors. When I quit Illustrator and restart, drop down menu of fonts disappears. Then it will appears randomly after editing various characters. No clue.

    Anubhav M
    Community Manager
    Anubhav MCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    April 14, 2025

    Hello @Steve22206845j1si,

    Would you mind sharing some more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, and a screen recording of the problem (https://adobe.ly/3XUALD9), so I can better assist you with this?

    Also, try using a single monitor to try and replicate this problem, and share you observations.

    Looking forward to hearing from you.

     

    Anubhav

    Charu Rajput
    Community Expert
    Charu RajputCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 8, 2020

    Hi,

    Could you please post the screen shot, how it is looking now. You can choose Essential/Essential Classic workspace, where you will see character panel. And when you opne the charcter panle , you can reset the panel from the flyout menu of the panel. Please refer screenshot for resetting the panel.

     

    Let us know if this resolves your problem.

    Best regards
    K
    KwawnAuthor
    Participant
    September 8, 2020

    This is how it initially looked when I posted this question. The drop down menu was still missing no matter what workspace I used.

    The screenshot at the bottom is how exactly I want my control panel to look. This is most likely a bug though because the drop down menu suddenly popped back up while I was using Illustrator, but I still notice it disappearing once in a while. I'll definitely try the flyout menu if I see it missing again but as of right now, it looks like I no longer need to do anything?

    Charu Rajput
    Community Expert
    Charu RajputCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 8, 2020

    Hi,

    Are you using two screens? This fonts dropdown will show when, it gets minimum width for the screen. I mean I have mac with 15 inch. It doesn't display on it and when I connect another screen with 21 inch, where it shows the way you required. In short, it depends on resolution of the screen.

     

    I hope this helps you.

    Best regards
      Mohammad.Harb
      Community Expert
      Mohammad.HarbCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 8, 2020

      If I understand your question, click on the character panel's name and  drag out 

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