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Acrobat for Windows and Mac: User Interface

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Ditch the 2023 User Interface in Acrobat

There are so many shortcomings and problems with the new 2023 GUI interface. Here are just a few:

  1. Swapping left and right-hand panels for no reason. This does not improve anything for users. It just forces users to change everything about how they work in Acrobat every workday.

  2. Functions are indicated by random icons. In the 90s, we learned that icons in software and websites don't work across different populations. Users have a difficult time figuring out what the heck they mean. Give text labels.

  3. The left panel is permanently positioned on the screen and obscures part of the document below. Seriously Adobe, WTF.

  4. The entire menu/panel system can't be customized, moved, or docked. Another WTF.

  5. Hamburger menus (those obscure 3 horizontal lines) are used on mobile interfaces to collapse menus. They are totally unnecessary and inappropriate on desktop interfaces — where working people spend most of their time working. Give people real menus with real names. "Menu" is not accurate, either. What is the name of the other menu to the right? Menu 2? Cheeseburger Menu?

  6. The new interface is inaccessible for those with disabilities who use assistive technologies, especially screen reader users. Adobe has seriously violated its VPAT with governments and corporations worldwide who are required by law to provide accessible work environments and tools.

  7. Grey on Grey is not an accessible color scheme. Can't tell if some icons are active or disabled. Those with low vision can't discern the icons.

  8. Digital signatures, Document Cloud (where Adobe stores your files by default), subscriptions, OCR, file creation, file combining, and accessibility all have reported major problems for the past few years...but rather than fix these critical problems, money was instead spent on rearranging the deck chairs on the sinking Titanic.

As long-time PDF consultants, my firm has found that the majority of customers are professionals who use Acrobat for their jobs. These are not "casual" users working on their smartphones. They are using desktops/laptops with full screens, not mobile devices to do their jobs. And they work with PDFs a lot.

They have developed actions and scripts to automate processes on dozens, hundreds, and even thousands of PDF files every day. These industries include print, prepress, graphic design, accessibility & remediation, accessible forms, variable forms, variable printing, data validation, financial institutions (think of all those bank statements every month!), health care, investment and finance, and manufacturing.

Dramatic GUI changes like 2023's completely change how these automated processes work...if they still work at all.

The cost to these industries to correct the now-broken processes — brought on by Adobe's whimsical, untested design idea — is appalling. If I was a major corporation hit by this unnecessary expense, I'd ban Adobe products from my company and look for another PDF vendor.

There are now many reputable competitors to Adobe Acrobat: See:
— https://www.tomsguide.com/best-picks/best-pdf-editors
— https://www.techradar.com/best/pdf-editors
— https://www.pcworld.com/article/407214/best-pdf-editors.html

Calling this Acrobat's "Modern Viewer" is a form of gaslighting Adobe customers. It's not modern at all — 30 years ago, using icons failed in software and web interfaces, and it's failing again with Acrobat 2023. Sometimes retro isn't good, especially retro user interfaces. Please don't attempt to bring back disco, old-fashioned 20 inch TVs, polyester suits, rotary phones and VHS tapes as being "Modern," too.

Ditch this "Modern Viewer" and instead give us a working tool to get our jobs done.

  1. Revert the interface back to what it was.

  2. Fix Acrobat's bugs. There are so many!

  3. And improve the accessibility for those with disabilities (who can't get to the Comments panel, Bookmarks panel, understand what and how much is redacted, make edits or change the content, scale/enlarge the interface, nor sign a PDF).

For those still reading this, users can revert to the old interface for now (August 2023).
— Windows: Hamburger Menu / Disable New Acrobat
— Mac: View Menu / Disable New Acrobat

I have no idea who long Adobe is going to let us revert to the "real" interface.

857 votes

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Bevi Chagnon | PubCom.com shared this idea  ·   ·  Report…  ·  Admin →

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  • MoeezIjaz commented  ·   ·  Report

    In an era laptop turns off when unplugged dominated by digital connectivity and mobility, laptops have become indispensable tools for work, study, and leisure. These versatile devices offer unparalleled convenience, allowing users to access information, communicate with others, and accomplish tasks from virtually anywhere. However, despite their myriad benefits. Laptops are not immune to occasional glitches and technical hiccups that can disrupt their seamless operation. Read More: https://thetechshub.com/how-to-fix-laptop-turns-off-when-unplugged/

  • Keith Mangan commented  ·   ·  Report

    Ok so we are going back a year+; but everything is still wrong. Acrobat has not worked properly since its "update".Even resetting as Bevi mentioned still leaves opening some files as cumbersome.
    Stop the UI and XR updates and fix the program

  • Miguel Medalha commented  ·   ·  Report

    @GGRG Your response "Sure, have a "beginner mode" that hides the scary menus and tools, but then let the rest of us turn it off and get on with our lives" is the best, most concise proposal here. If applied, it could end all conflict by satisfying both parties.

  • GGRG commented  ·   ·  Report

    HORRIFFIC UPDATE!

    -Nobody wants toolbars floating all over their documents. Like throwing a handfull of gravel on top of my keyboard and mouse and then trying to get work done... And that leaves miles of empty screen real-estate at the top where the toolbars used to be - Gee, maybe you could use that blank space for I don't know...toolbars?!?!

    -Cryptic icons stink - use your words.
    -Why the switch the left/right side menus?!?!
    -I didn't want AI - I just wanted to get my work done and not mess around

    Adobe has been updating their UI as if everyone is just using the software for the first time - Sure, have a "beginner mode" that hides the scary menus and tools, but then let the rest of us us turn it off and get on with our lives.

  • Martha Hopkins commented  ·   ·  Report

    This new interface is so bad I'm considering finding some other source. I have used Acrobat for a million years and understand that all new things take a while to get used to. Well, it's been a while, and I'm still not used to it and it still sucks. Every tool I need is hidden somewhere I can't find or requires an extra click to get to. Any chance you'll be switching back?

  • Blackboard Insight commented  ·   ·  Report

    I don't like the new interface adds layers of where are things that are not needed.
    Someone has too many bright ideas on something that was not broken. If it isn't broken don't try and fix it leave it alone. Basic marketing and user stuff.

  • Nicole Hilliard commented  ·   ·  Report

    I'm not at all a fan of the new interface. Listen Adobe, you're still the top PDF game in town so there's no need to make significant changes from what got you to the top. Enjoy the marketshare and tell your engineers to relax.

  • Ger O'Rourke commented  ·   ·  Report

    The new Interface is terrible. It makes us learn everything again !

  • Chris Gibby commented  ·   ·  Report

    The new interface is terrible. Have switched back to the old version. Bookmarks are better on the left! Wasted an hour this morning figuring this out.

  • LYNNE KNIGHT commented  ·   ·  Report

    I spent about 10-15 minutes on every function I used last night...so a gigantic waste of time. Too bad AI can't report on the number of long pauses in activity and cursing as we frantically search for the functions we depend on from Acrobat to work.

  • Daniel Prior commented  ·   ·  Report

    The new interface is terrible!

    Went back to the older version!

  • Rob Andrews commented  ·   ·  Report

    The new interface is terrible.

    I vote to change the interface back to the way it was 10 or 15 years ago.

  • InstyButte Typesetting2 commented  ·   ·  Report

    Please, everyone who agrees that the new interface is terrible, go to this thread, share your constructive thoughts, and upvote.
    https://acrobat.uservoice.com/forums/590923-acrobat-for-windows-and-mac/suggestions/48153893-new-acrobat-wish-list-for-a-better-interface
    It only has 21 upvotes, and is far more likely to garner attention from Adobe because it is focused on solutions, not just our anger and complaints.

  • Jeff commented  ·   ·  Report

    Yep, there were shouts of joy here when I found the "Revert" function.

  • Tamra Crews commented  ·   ·  Report

    The new GUI interface is guaranteed to give you carpal tunnel syndrome.
    So. Much. Clicking.

  • angela white commented  ·   ·  Report

    The new interface looks like it was designed for elementary students. I hate it.

  • David Peters commented  ·   ·  Report

    This was to be expected, Denny.

    Adobe has long turned into a company akin to Boeing, where the only thing that matters is pleasing shareholders instead of working on the product.

    On the other hand, I must say that professionals who to this day still cling to Adobe Acrobat, which has long been degenerating into a disaster, are essentially getting what they deserve.

    The dramatic decline of Adobe Acrobat was obvious ever since Acrobat DC was introduced about a decade ago. Refer to this thread for insight: https://community.adobe.com/t5/acrobat-discussions/acrobat-dc-so-horrible-it-s-making-me-want-to-cry/m-p/7112360

    Even back then, Adobe blatantly ignored the disastrous backlash from the professional community and simply continued on their path to turn Acrobat into a ridiculous kindergarten toy.

    So move on, everybody. Nothing to see here anymore. This is flogging a dead horse.

  • Kristine Griba commented  ·   ·  Report

    To Anonymous, "The number of votes does not reflect the real world impact. In our organization there are 17 people using the disable approach after I followed the steps here." 👍🏻

    I've been encouraging people to log in an up vote! It's the only way our voice will be heard... I'm trying to have the faith that we as customers will have an ounce of sway and influence LOL.

    TBH, though, I doubt Adobe will listen. Call me bitter, but I think even if we were all to 'abandon ship,' they'd still motor on full steam ahead :(

    Getting signatures in this new version during tax season (here in Canada) has been brutal. I'm resorting to ignoring CRA's formats in their forms because I no longer have the date format option I used to use all the time, and hoping for the best... Adobe doesn't even list our time zone in the settings :( Every time I call them about that, they tell me they will "mention it to their development team." 😖

    Into the abyss we go...

  • Anonymous commented  ·   ·  Report

    The number of votes does not reflect the real world impact. In our organization there are 17 people using the disable approach after I followed the steps here.

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