Question
How do I re-create my InDesign preferences files?

Answer
Damaged InDesign preferences files can cause InDesign to behave unexpectedly. You can re-create the InDesign preferences files to determine if the problem is related to them. Note: Re-creating the InDesign preferences files restores settings to their defaults. To re-create the InDesign CS (version 3.0), CS2 (version 4.0), or CS3 (version 5.0) preferences files:

Macintosh:

• Quit InDesign.
• Drag the "Version [version]" folder from the "Users/<your user name>/Library/Preferences/Adobe InDesign" folder to the Desktop.
• Restart InDesign.

If the problem recurs after you re-create the InDesign preferences files, it isn't related to preference files. To restore custom settings, drag the "Version [version]" folder from the Desktop back to its original location, and then click OK to the alert "An item named 'Version [version]' already exists in this location. Do you want to replace it with the one you're moving?"

If the problem is resolved by re-creating the preference files, you may be able to save some application preferences by narrowing down which particular file is causing the error. Copy preference files from the original "Version [version]" one at a time. If a problem returns, then you know which preference file caused the problem.


Windows:

• Quit InDesign.
• Rename the InDesign SavedData file and the InDesign Defaults file (for example, to InDesign SavedData.old, InDesign Defaults.old) in the C:\Documents and Settings\<your user name>\Application Data\Adobe\InDesign\Version [version]" folder.
• Restart InDesign.

If the problem continues, the preferences file isn't the cause. To restore custom settings, delete the new preferences file and restore the original name of the previous preferences file.