Customizing the Interface: Panels & Workspaces

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This exercise is excerpted from past InCopy training materials and is compatible with InCopy updates through 2021. To learn current skills in Adobe Creative Cloud and graphic design, check out our graphic design classes in NYC and live online.

Note: These materials are provided to give prospective students a sense of how we structure our class exercises and supplementary materials. During the course, you will get access to the accompanying class files, live instructor demonstrations, and hands-on instruction.

Customizing the Interface: Panels & Workspaces

To simplify the interface and reduce screen clutter, panels can be expanded or collapsed, as shown below.

panels display options

Toggling the Panel Dock Between the Full Panel & Icons

As shown below, click the button at the top right of the panel dock to either expand the panels (so you can see what’s in them), or collapse the panels to buttons.

panels expand and collapse

Reordering Docked Panels

To rearrange the panel order, drag the icon or name up/down to the desired locations. As shown below, the blue line indicates where it will be positioned.

panels reorder

Docking Panels to the Side of the Screen

Panels can be docked to the right or left sides of the screen (they’re typically docked on the right side of the screen). Once docked, other panels can easily be added.

  1. As shown below, if no panels have been docked, drag the panel’s tab to the right side of the screen until a dark band appears. Then release the mouse.

    dock 1st panel

  2. To dock additional panels, just drag them into the docked area as shown below.

    dock 2nd panel

Undocking Panels

To undock a panel from the side of the screen, drag the icon/name/tab out of the dock and release it anywhere in the middle of the screen.

Saving a Workspace

Even if you rearrange the panels, resetting to a saved workspace resets the interface back to how you like it. Once you’ve arranged the toolbars and panels as you like, you can save the workspace.

  1. Go to Window > Workspace > New Workspace.

  2. Give it a name and click OK.

Loading a Workspace

  1. Go to Window > Workspace and choose a workspace such as Essentials.

  2. The panels will now be arranged, hidden/shown, etc. according to that workspace.

    NOTE: Workspaces will re-load the way they were previously arranged, remembering your customizations. To revert to the originally saved version, choose Window > Workspace > Reset [the name of the workspace such as Essentials].

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