Open Lightroom and then select Adobe Lightroom > Personalize Lightroom (macOS).
Last updated on
Nov 10, 2026
Explore how you can personalize the Lightroom desktop workspace by choosing a preset layout and customizing its appearance, panels, shortcuts, and editing controls.
Customize the Lightroom desktop workspace to match how you organize and edit photos. Start with a predefined workspace, and then adjust its appearance, layout, panels, shortcuts, and learning resources.
Note
When you first open Lightroom desktop after updating to version 10.0, the Personalize Your Lightroom dialog box appears, allowing you to choose your preferred workspace.
Choose a workspace
In the Personalize your Lightroom dialog box, select a workspace:
- Default: Provides a simple workspace for fast and easy editing. Recommended for new and existing Lightroom users.
- Advanced: Provides a denser workspace with additional controls for experienced users.
- Classic: Provides a workspace familiar to Lightroom Classic users.
To review and modify the workspace settings before applying, select Customize.
After customizing the workspace, select Done to apply your settings. Some changes may require you to restart the app.
Customize the workspace
Use the General settings to change how Lightroom looks and how its panels behave.
|
Settings |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Density |
Select Comfortable for more space between interface elements or Compact to fit more controls on the screen. |
|
Theme |
Select a Light, Dark, or Dusk interface. |
|
Contrast |
Adjust the visual contrast of the Lightroom interface based on the selected theme. |
|
Size |
Change the size of text and interface elements, and then restart the app to apply the changes. |
|
Keyboard Shortcuts |
Choose the default Lightroom keyboard shortcuts or switch to the familiar Lightroom Classic keyboard shortcuts, and then restart the app to apply the changes. |
|
Panel Track Mode |
Choose how Lightroom manages the behavior of panels in the workspace.
|
|
Secondary Panel Mode |
Choose whether secondary panels are managed automatically or opened manually.
|
Use the Organize settings to control the information and navigation elements displayed while browsing photos.
|
Settings |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Show Tethering |
Display controls for capturing photos directly from a connected camera. |
|
Show File Names in Grid |
Display filenames with photos in Grid view. |
|
Show File Extensions in Grid |
Include file extensions with filenames in Grid view. |
|
Show secondary window in toolbar |
Display the secondary-window control in the toolbar when available. |
|
Photo Panel Mode |
Choose how items in the Photo panel are displayed, such as with icons and text. |
|
Album Panel Mode |
Choose how albums appear, such as by name and cover image. |
|
Grid Mode |
Select the layout used to display photos in the main grid. |
|
Filmstrip Style |
Select how photos appear in the filmstrip. |
Use the Edit settings to choose which editing controls appear and how panels, presets, and profiles are arranged.
|
Settings |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Use Precise Sliders |
Use slider controls designed for finer adjustments. |
|
Show Histogram |
Display the Histogram in the editing workspace. |
|
Show Additional Info |
Display additional photo information under the histogram when available. |
|
Show Vectorscope |
Display the Vectorscope for evaluating hue, saturation, skin tones, and color balance. |
|
Show Color Calibration |
Display the Color Calibration controls. |
|
Single-Panel Mode |
Keep only one editing panel expanded at a time. |
|
Preset Panel Single-Group Mode |
Keep only one preset group expanded at a time. |
|
Layout |
Choose the arrangement of editing controls. |
|
Edit Panel Density |
Adjust the spacing between controls in the Edit panel. |
|
Preset Panel Layout |
Choose how presets are displayed, such as in a list or grid. |
|
Profile Panel Layout |
Choose the size and arrangement of profiles. |
Use the Help settings to show or hide guidance and learning content.
|
Settings |
Description |
|---|---|
|
Show Hover Tips |
Display onboarding tips when you hover over supported options. |
|
Show Tutorials |
Display guided Lightroom tutorials. |
|
Show Learn |
Display Learn option in Lightroom. |
|
Show Community |
Display Community option and inspiration in Lightroom. |
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