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ScottMiller06
Participant
Oct 16, 2012 2:05 AM UTC
Answered

How do I bring back my tools panel?

Hello,

When I had Illustrator open, I moved my Mac's view to the widgets desktop. When I went back to the desktop that had Illustrator, the tools panel and other panels were missing. I went back to the widgets desktop and the panels were there!

I could not figure out how to get them back over to the correct desktop, so I closed them. Now, back in Illustrator, I can't figure out how to open them up again.

I'd like to go back to the default setting. Please help!

Thanks and God bless,

Scott Miller

      Sheena Kaul
      Sheena KaulCorrect answer
      Legend
      Apr 29, 2021 3:53 PM UTC

      To view the Illustrator toolbar, do the following:

      Select Window > Workspace > Reset XXX (XXX = Name of the workspace you’re using). 

       

       

      To view the top control bar, select Window > Control to display it on the screen.  

       

      If you are unable to see a specific tool, please try the steps below until the issue is resolved: 

      1. Select Window > Toolbar > Advanced . 
      2. Click the ellipsis (…) at the end of the toolbar. 
      3. Click the list icon in the top right corner. Select Reset from the menu or select from the Advanced or Basic toolset. 

       

      Also, try resetting preferences. 

       

      For more assistance, reply to this post providing sufficient information to reproduce your issue. Screenshots will be greatly appreciated.

       

      View reply

      27 replies

      Sheena Kaul
      Sheena KaulCorrect answer
      Legend
      Apr 29, 2021 3:53 PM UTC

      To view the Illustrator toolbar, do the following:

      Select Window > Workspace > Reset XXX (XXX = Name of the workspace you’re using). 

       

       

      To view the top control bar, select Window > Control to display it on the screen.  

       

      If you are unable to see a specific tool, please try the steps below until the issue is resolved: 

      1. Select Window > Toolbar > Advanced . 
      2. Click the ellipsis (…) at the end of the toolbar. 
      3. Click the list icon in the top right corner. Select Reset from the menu or select from the Advanced or Basic toolset. 

       

      Also, try resetting preferences. 

       

      For more assistance, reply to this post providing sufficient information to reproduce your issue. Screenshots will be greatly appreciated.

       

      Translate
        mikegenovese2323
        Participant
        Jun 2, 2020 12:57 AM UTC

        Printfusion45 That is a TERRIBLE answer!

        Now the CORRECT answer... Window>Toolbars>Advanced

        Translate
        Monika Gause
        Community Expert
        Monika GauseCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        Jun 2, 2020 8:53 AM UTC

        "Printfusion45 That is a TERRIBLE answer!"

         

        That was the correct answer in 2012!

        If you go digging up old threads, please get informed about how things were working in 2012.

         

        Translate
          verdevice
          verdevice
          Participant
          Oct 16, 2019 4:17 AM UTC

          Hello,

          Go to Windows> Tools and then click on to Default option. 

          Now you are back to your default setting. 

          Translate
          jerreflorc3168994
          jerreflorc3168994
          Participant
          Nov 23, 2017 1:53 AM UTC

          thanks for the info

          Translate
          yub57947480
          yub57947480
          Participant
          Sep 11, 2017 5:32 PM UTC

          Good job !

          Translate
          Anonymous
          Sep 7, 2016 2:06 PM UTC

          scottm777 here is the solution >>> How to recover toolbars/tool pallets/missing panels in Adobe Illustrator CC/Adobe Photoshop CC - YouTube

          Translate
          fredericke3885029
          fredericke3885029
          Participant
          Apr 3, 2016 6:57 AM UTC

          Go to Window > Tools > Default Side Bar

          (this is how it is on Mac, sorry, but I am not sure about how to do it on Windows)

          Translate
          starsforluna
          starsforluna
          Participant
          Oct 24, 2015 10:54 PM UTC

          Is there a way to bring it back without resetting your whole workspace?

          Translate
          rcraighead
          rcraighead
          Legend
          Oct 24, 2015 11:14 PM UTC

          "Tools>Default"

          You can also hit "Tab" to hide/show all floating panels, or "Shift+Tab" to hide/show all BUT the Tools Panel.

          Translate
          morgenb99298508
          Participant
          Jul 18, 2015 11:58 AM UTC

          i am having the same issue at the moment, i can not get the side bar on the left (with all the tools) on illustrator back down. i know its the layout of how its set up but i don't not how to set it up and get it back! any help?

          Translate
          Monika Gause
          Community Expert
          Monika GauseCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          Jul 18, 2015 12:24 PM UTC

          Have you already tried resetting the workspace?

          Translate
          ojak
          Known Participant
          Jul 28, 2015 3:26 AM UTC

          I had the same problem today after updating Illustrator CC 2015.  I tried resetting Essentials, but the layout panes simply flicker for a second (resetting) and then nothing happens (i.e. no palettes show up, and pressing F7, etc, does nothing).


          The only way to access any of the palettes is to select a workspace other than "Essentials" (i.e. "Essentials" is essentially gone).

          Translate
          PrintFusion45
          PrintFusion45
          Participating Frequently
          Oct 16, 2012 2:16 AM UTC

          @scottm777, From the top right corner of Illustrator, click on Essentials > Reset essentials. This should bring back all your tools and panels.

          Translate
            Westopherguy
            Westopherguy
            Participant
            Oct 16, 2012 7:15 PM UTC

            I can't believe how often I do some weird (wrong) keystroke, and end-up hiding or closing stuff. Always takes me 10 minutes to figure out how to get stuff back. This is way easier... Will have to remember that one.  ;-)

            Translate
              jobro1
              Known Participant
              Dec 12, 2017 4:42 PM UTC

              Something happened (I hit god-knows-what-key) and all my tools disappeared. I had to stop everything to find a forum to come up with the solution. This is what I hate about Illustrator--everythingg is so darned counter-intuitive! "Adobe Frustrator" would be a better name for this app.

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