InDesign and multiple monitors

[Gunzablazin8591]

I have looked for threads about this and haven't seen any, so here goes.

I am running InDesign 13.1 on a MacPro running OS 10.13.3.

I have three Dell monitors, the right one is vertical and it has the OS Menu bar and some [long] InDesign palettes.

The center is horizontal and holds the Application Frame, the left monitor is horizontal and holds a number of InDesign palettes.

I want the Application Frame to open on my center monitor at launch -- it opens on my right-most monitor so I have to move it every morning.

I know it CAN work because it works for Photoshop [19.1.2] and Illustrator [22.1] plus it DID work with InDesign 2017 [12.1.0].

I have saved a custom workspace many times to no avail.

It worked with InDesign 2017, so is it an InDesign 2018 thing?

Any ideas?

Gracias

[Erica Gamet]

I thought the Application Frame always sat wherever the main (OS) window bar was. But you said it worked with 2017...maybe try making the center monitor the one with the menu bar...

[Srishti Bali · Accepted solution]

HI Gunzablazin8591,

Ideally InDesign and other Adobe applications too, should open on the monitor where it was closed last time.

• Open Adobe InDesign.
• Drag the InDesign window to the monitor you would like it to open on when launched.
• Make certain the window is not maximized.
• Close Adobe InDesign.
• TEST: The next time you open Adobe InDesign it should open in your desired monitor.

If it is not opening on desired monitor , please try setting the second monitor as your primary screen  and check how it works?

Use multiple displays with your Mac - Apple Support

Regards,

Srishti

[BobLevine]

This certainly doesn’t work on Windows. InDesign on a multi monitor system on Windows is absolute travesty unless both monitors are identical and set to identical scaling percentages.

[Gunzablazin8591]

Srishti,

Shortly after I posted this question it worked, and I 'm thinking it was likely due to doing [absentmindedly] what you have outlined here.

Thank you

[Dynamic Code]

GREAT SCOTT! I found the answer!!!! It took me a while to figure out. It bugged me for so long. GO TO 

WINDOW >> APPLICATION FRAME

When "unchecked" it keeps it locked on the one monitor. When Checked, you can move the application frame to another monitor. 

Happy Designing!

[knuteinar_]

I think this depends on what you mean by 'application frame'. The window itself, with the document you are working on, can be moved freely around. But, at least for me, that 'application frame' is either stuck on the wrong monitor, or it is not there at all (unchecked for 'application frame'). So for me, it is a 'fix', but not at good one at all ...

[lrcooperman]

Same! Project window moves freely to second monitor, but application tool bars etc. remain welded to first. Maddening!!!!

[brookeh94209924]

I've been havig the same problem: project window moves freely to second monitor, but application tool bars etc. remain welded to first. Clicking Apllication Frame on worked for me. It freed up the tool bars and frame so that the whole thing moves to the other screen together.  THANK YOU!

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Glad to hear that @brookeh94209924 Feel free to reach out if you need any further assistance.

[Candy254409787c2d]

Hi 

I had same issue with project window moves freely to second monitor, but application tool bars etc. remain welded to first. I tried the solution of clicking aplication frame, but it doesn't worked to me. I am using MacOS Monterey Version 12.5.1, M1 Pro chip. 

[Julia222030863wwh]

Have you resolved the issue yet? I find myself having the same issue.

[lrcooperman]

I updated, then deinstalled the app, when reinstalled and restarted the problem was resolved. Seems dumb, but it might have been a bug they fixed in update. 

[Candy254409787c2d]

It resolved after rised the issue in September. However, this problem happens again in October. I reinstalled the InDesign, it still not working. Struggling right now. 

[NancyycnaN]

Same exact issue here, same system set up. Clicking Application Frame does not work. I'm constantly trying to fix my InDesign workspace every day, and it doesn't help that I switch to different types of second monitors when I'm working from home vs. going into the office and using theirs.

[Sky34383287lsvs]

Thank you so much! That was not intuitive at all, lol

[lrcooperman]

Oh the same dumb thing is happening again - working page won't move to second monitor - and the deinstall fix doesn't work this time. Arrgh. Why why why?

[Candy254409787c2d]

This keeps happenning again and again. Why this issue hasn't been fixed? 

[anneOPA]

New update just broke this for me, I cannot get InDesign to move to 2nd monitor no matter if Application Frame is checked or unchecked. Driving me crazy and majorly slowing down my workflow.

[anneOPA]

Ok update this seems to have patched it for me (for now)

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/the-indesign-application-frame-gets-stuck-outsid...

Moving my second monitor to "below" my main monitor in the display settings (even tho technically that's now how they're arranged) seems to allow Indesign to free up the application frame.

[ejejstanley]

Thank you! This was driving me nuts. What an absolutely asinine solution – but it worked. 

[Frecklesoup23]

I am having this issue as well. Just purchased a refurbished Macbook Pro M2. Running Ventura, and using INDD 2023. I cannot move the application frame off my main computer to my external. I can drag the window and pallettes, but NOT the control center bar at the top. That remains on my MacBook. Having a heck of a time getting any work done! 

[StuMed]

I have been having this problem since I bought a new Apple M2 Pro. When i use InDesign the application panels open on my second monitor even when my primary monitor has been set. So everything is all on the wrong screen when expanded to use. 

If you go to >Indesign > Prefernces > User Interface Scaling, in the first pane there is UI Sizing. I decreased this down one and then resterted like it prompted, and then it worked. Everything is quite small, but it does the trick. It's not the size I want, but i am used to it now. This thread has been on for so long, that Adobe really need to pull their finger out, as we pay a fortube for this software! 

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi @StuMed,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Thank you for sharing the solution that worked for you. You can also try the suggestions shared in this Apple Community Disucssion.

Thanks

Rishabh

[bengdixon]

That's a bit of an old thread you're linking us to. This issue has been going on for donkey years. The only way I can get round it is by disconnecting and reconnecting my display but this doesn't always work. Hopefully one day Adobe software will play nice with MacOS....