The March 2024 InDesign Update: Exporting and Importing User Settings Like Never Before

Adobe's InDesign has always been the crème de la crème for designers and publishers around the globe, offering unparalleled tools for creating everything from dazzling brochures to captivating magazines. But, there's something new on the horizon that's about to make your InDesign experience even more delightful and efficient— the latest March 2024 update introduces the much-anticipated feature of exporting and importing user settings! While this may not seem like something to shout about, for many of us, this feature has been a long time coming.

A Seamless Transition to Personalization

Imagine this: You've spent countless hours fine-tuning your InDesign to work just the way you like. Your preferences, workspaces, menu sets, keyboard shortcuts, and glyph sets are all meticulously customized to suit your workflow. And then, you find yourself in front of a new computer. The thought of reconfiguring everything from scratch feels daunting, right? Fear not, because InDesign 2024 is here to save the day (and your time)!
 

The New InDesign Update as of March 2024
 

Exporting Your Settings

• Navigate to File > User Settings > Export User Settings.
• Choose your desired location (also known as saving location) and name your settings. By default, your settings will be named IDSettings_<version><locale><platform>_<date (YY_MM_DD)>.
• Hit Save and watch as your personal InDesign settings are encapsulated into a single, portable file.

Importing Your Settings

• Bring your personalized settings into any other InDesign program from any other location. From within the new application, head over to File > User Settings > Import User Settings.
• Select the settings file you saved earlier.
• Click Restart Now. InDesign will absorb all your settings and preferences, restoring your customized workspace(s).

A Few Caveats on the New Update

While the ability to export and import user settings is nothing short of amazing, there are a few scenarios where this might not work:

• If your settings were exported from a locale different from the one you're trying to import them into.
• If the settings come from a future version of InDesign.
• If you're moving between different operating systems.

What's in Your Toolbox?

You can now take the essence of your InDesign experience—your preferences, workspaces, menu sets, keyboard shortcuts, and glyph sets—with you wherever you go. However, be aware that some settings, such as Interface options and Clipboard Handling, will revert to their default state upon import. This is merely a small step for InDesign, ensuring that your journey is as smooth as possible.

Navigating the Limitations

Even the most powerful features have their limitations. Certain settings, including those related to interface live screen drawing, user interface scaling, and various type preferences, will default to their original settings upon importing. But fret not—your workflows and shortcuts—will remain intact, ready to be unleashed on any new project that comes your way.

Embrace the Future of Design with InDesign 2024

The introduction of the export and import user settings feature in InDesign 2024 is a win for designers everywhere. It's like having a portable studio that you can set up anywhere, anytime, with just a few clicks. No more painstakingly setting up your environment every time you switch devices or update your software. With this new update, Adobe InDesign not only continues to be a powerful tool for design and publishing but also becomes a more personalized and user-friendly platform for creatives around the world.