Export and Import User Settings in InDesign

Learn to export and import user settings in InDesign.

InDesign provides an option to export and import User Settings, providing users with a smooth and enhanced experience to restore their custom settings if needed.

You can now

  • Export User Settings to a file.
  • Import and apply User Settings from a file.

Export user settings

You can export User Settings to a file.

  1. Go to FileUser Settings > Export User Settings.

    a screen showing the options user settings > import > export user settings
    Import/Export User Settings

  2. Specify the location and a File name.

    The default file name is IDSettings_<version>_<locale>_<platform>_<date (YY_MM_DD)>

    A screen showing the file name

  3. Select Save.

Import user settings

You can utilize your exported User Settings to quickly set up InDesign.

  1. Go to FileUser Settings > Import User Settings.

  2. Select the saved User Settings file.

  3. Select Restart Now to import the User Settings.

Tip:

Keep your settings up-to-date with the latest version for a hassle-free experience.

Scenarios when User Settings can not be imported 

You may not be able to successfully import the User Settings if these were exported from:

  • a different locale.
  • a different InDesign version (latest public version/beta app/pre-release app).
  • a different OS platform.

User settings

You can now export or import these user settings:

User Settings

How to access

  • [Win] Edit > Preferences > General (ctrl + K)
  • [macOS] InDesignPreferences > General (cmd + K)

Window > Workspace > New Workspace

Edit > Menus

Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts

Type > Glyphs

Note:

This feature is only for InDesign.

Limitations

The following values are set to default while you import User Settings:

  • Interface > Live Screen Drawing
  • User Interface Scaling
  • Type > Enable in-menu font previews > Number of Recent Fonts to Display
  • Type > Enable Japanese Font Preview in 'Find More'
  • Type > Sort Recent Fonts List Alphabetically
  • Type > Preview Font on Hover
  • Advanced Type > Type Contextual Controls > Show Adornment on Text Selection/ Text Frame for more Type controls
  • Clipboard Handling > Show Auto Style Option
  • Clipboard Handling > Show Paste Options

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