The IDL Workbench > Workspaces

# Workspaces

A workspace is a directory that contains Projects, their metadata, and information about the state of the IDL Workbench. A workspace can also contain other programs, scripts, and supporting files that are not contained within a Project.

When the IDL Workbench starts it creates a default workspace located in your home directory (as defined by the $HOME environment variable on UNIX-like platforms, and in `Documents and Settings\username` or `\Users\<username>\IDLWorkspace8.x` on Windows platforms).

If you later want to change workspaces from the default to another existing folder, do one of the following:

1. Select Switch Workspace from the FILE menu in the Workbench.
   - If you have used a different workspace previously, its name will display in a popup menu. Select your new workspace from this list. This will exit the IDL Workbench and restart it using the workspace you selected, with no prompting.
   - If you have not used a different workspace previously, the popup will display "Other...". Choose this option and use the next dialog box to browse to an existing folder (or make a new one) that will become your new workspace.
2. Open the General > Startup and Shutdown preferences page and check the Prompt for workspace on startup checkbox. Then exit and restart the IDL Workbench and select a workspace in the Workspace Launcher dialog.

Each workspace “remembers” the arrangement of the IDL Workbench views and perspectives that you set during your session. You can have as many different workspaces as you like, but only one workspace can be loaded at a given time.

## See Also

IDL Workbench Quick Reference