How re-enable design palette in Android Studio

Question

I recently made the switch to Android Studio as my default IDE for Android development. When designing my UI I normally use the palette in the design view to assist in arranging the widget on the preview screen.Recently something weird happened, It just disappeared and I can't seem to re-enable it. Normally I would see the little Palette button on the side but now its gone. When I open another project I see the palette but not show this current project I'm working on.

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When I open another project in Android Studio I see the palette tab.

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Possible duplicate: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/18824306/text-design-tab-missing-new-android-project-on-android-studio-ide — Dale Wilson, Oct 23 '13 at 19:28
and http://stackoverflow.com/questions/16723821/android-studio-design-tab-missing — Dale Wilson, Oct 23 '13 at 19:29
I have the Text and Design tab. It's the palette button that's not showing and I see no way to reenable it. — Joel Dean, Oct 23 '13 at 19:29
Agreed, not a duplicate. Not sure how to fix this one, though. Sorry. — Dale Wilson, Oct 23 '13 at 22:43
Is it over in the far left column by the Project and Structure buttons? It can move over there if you unselect it from pinned mode. http://postimg.org/image/ko1u189dz/ — Adam Johns, Oct 24 '13 at 14:53
I have the same problem, the palette option in there is not clickable for some reason.....do i need anything from the sdk manager download?Also seems i have two palette references in there and both are inactive and i cant activate them... — Maxrunner, Feb 13 '14 at 16:28

score 29 · Accepted Answer · answered Apr 13 '14 at 11:25

I've just figured this out! If you double click on your .xml file tab at the top it will maximize the designer window. Then on the left you can drag the window to shrink and it will reveal the palette. Then just click on the tab on the left to open the project window.

score 20 · Answer 2 · edited Jan 15 '17 at 14:08

20

try the Design/Text tabs in the lower left of the layout window

edited Jan 15 '17 at 14:08

RBT

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answered Mar 28 '14 at 03:19

Dana Benson

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When I'm designing a form I believe the `Design` tab should be default as that is what all WYSIWYG developers are used to. Just drag and drop. For drag and drop you always want to see some control tool box and palette sort of thing right in front of you. Very funny to be finally able to figure out the design/text tabs in bottom left corner. – RBT Jan 15 '17 at 14:05

score 5 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 21 '16 at 21:30

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The palette can be shrunk to 0 width. This can be expanded by hovering next to the left edge of the design window, and finding the right-most expand position.

answered Jun 21 '16 at 21:30

mksteve

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score 3 · Answer 4 · answered Jun 04 '14 at 04:45

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If you have only the designer and the properties showing and the Properties is on the right, you can get the palette back by switching to a left or right view.

answered Jun 04 '14 at 04:45

EMS

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score 3 · Answer 5 · answered Jul 07 '16 at 09:21

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Right click on the .xml file tab. Select "split vertically". This will open another Design that shows the palette again.

answered Jul 07 '16 at 09:21

Codev

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score 3 · Answer 6 · answered Jun 19 '17 at 15:06

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Android Studio 2.3.3, and the answer I was looking for:

Window -> Restore Default Layout (Shift+F12)

answered Jun 19 '17 at 15:06

nmbskll

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score 2 · Answer 7 · edited Dec 20 '19 at 18:24

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First Close All The Tabs Then Open res->layout->activity_main.xml you will able to see design tab at activity_main.xml

activity_main.xml

design tab downside

edited Dec 20 '19 at 18:24

SecretAgentMan

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answered Dec 20 '19 at 16:58

Ajay Rajput

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score 1 · Answer 8 · edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

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Try to switch between Design/Text tabs at the bottom left of the editor.

edited Jun 20 '20 at 09:12

Community

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answered Jul 12 '19 at 17:21

Achintha Isuru

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score 0 · Answer 9 · answered Jan 24 '15 at 02:00

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You must have something in the layout resource highlighted. I also had to compile without an error.

answered Jan 24 '15 at 02:00

JBrooks

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score 0 · Answer 10 · edited Nov 16 '15 at 07:25

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My solution was traversing

src->main->res-layout->content_main.xml

then open content_main.xml

edited Nov 16 '15 at 07:25

IKavanagh

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answered Nov 16 '15 at 05:32

monx

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score 0 · Answer 11 · answered Nov 28 '15 at 22:48

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You have to be in the 'Design' tab (as opposed to the 'Text' tab) at the bottom of the middle window (the one that shows the phone).

answered Nov 28 '15 at 22:48

Mike20169

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How re-enable design palette in Android Studio

11 Answers11

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