Tools are 'locked'

[pallem72070564]

All my tools, except Text tool, are locked (greyed out) - what have I done?

I've uninstalled and reinstalled without luck...

[Peter Spier]

You have an active Story Editor window open, probably behind the layout window. Pressing Ctrl + Y should get you back to the layout window and you should see the Story Editor Window in the task bar so you can select it

[pallem72070564]

Thx for trying Peter - unfortunately it didn't help...

[Peter Spier]

OK, let's see if we can figure out what's going on.

I'm guessing from your screenshot you don't like working in Tabs, but for the moment it would help, so please go to Window > Arrange > Consoildate all Windows

Now please make a new screen capture showing your monitor screen including the task bar along with the whole InDesign window.

[pallem72070564 · Accepted solution]

I followed this tip - AND it worked!

Troubleshooting 101: Replace, or "trash" your InDe... - Adobe Support Community - 2280649

[ray_7542]

This worked for me in InDesign 2025. Thanks for the tip! That was kind of maddening, it was happening even when I had two different files open, thought maybe it was file specific.