ERPNext v16 Workspaces: The New UI Explained (2026)

Every ERPNext major release refreshes the interface, and v16's biggest visible change is navigation. The workspace and sidebar were rebuilt, which is great once you know the new layout but disorienting on day one — hence the flood of "where did the New Workspace button go?" questions on the community forum after upgrade. This guide maps the new UI so you stop hunting.

The v16 workspace changes are mostly good — cleaner navigation, private workspaces, filtered sidebar links — but the controls moved and a couple of actions are now gated by role or hosting. Knowing that turns confusion into a two-minute orientation. I am Manoj, an ERPNext and Frappe implementation consultant at MithTech in Bengaluru.

What changed in the ERPNext v16 workspace?

ERPNext v16 rebuilt workspace navigation: the sidebar now separates "My Workspaces" (private to you) from "Public" workspaces, desktop icons open the relevant workspace sidebar directly, and sidebar links can open lists with predefined filters already applied. Editing a workspace happens through a distinct Edit mode rather than always-on editing. The result is cleaner, more task-oriented navigation once you learn where things moved.

Alongside the layout, v16 tidies up automatically — orphaned workspace and sidebar entries are removed to cut clutter, and the sidebar now correctly highlights the page you are on, even when the URL carries anchors or filters. None of this touches your data; it is purely how you move around the system. The learning curve is real but short.

Skimmable summary: v16 splits the sidebar into private "My Workspaces" and "Public", opens sidebars from desktop icons, allows pre-filtered sidebar links, and edits via a distinct Edit mode. It also auto-removes orphaned entries. The change is navigation only — data is untouched.

How do I add a new workspace in ERPNext v16?

You add a new workspace in ERPNext v16 from the sidebar's create control, which places the workspace under "My Workspaces" as a private space or, with the right permissions, as a Public one. Private workspaces are visible only to you as the owner; Public workspaces are shared, and creating or editing those depends on your role. If you cannot see a "New Workspace" option at all, it is usually a permission matter rather than a missing feature.

Here is the orientation I give teams after an upgrade.

1. Open the workspace sidebar and look for the two sections: My Workspaces and Public.
2. Use the create control in the sidebar to add a new workspace — it lands under My Workspaces by default.
3. Enter Edit mode with the Edit button to add cards, shortcuts, charts, and links to the workspace.
4. Set visibility — keep it private under My Workspaces, or publish it as Public if your role allows.
5. Save and exit Edit mode to return to the clean read-only view.

Skimmable summary: Add a workspace from the sidebar's create control; it defaults to private under "My Workspaces". Use Edit mode to build its content, and publish as Public if your role permits. A missing create option is usually a permission issue, not a bug.

Why can't I see the "New Workspace" button or edit the sidebar in v16?

The most common reasons you cannot see the "New Workspace" button or edit a sidebar in ERPNext v16 are permissions and hosting. Creating or editing Public workspaces is role-gated, so a user without the right role will not see those controls, and standard sidebars often cannot be edited on managed Frappe Cloud in the way a self-hosted instance allows. It is usually a configuration boundary, not a defect.

If a user needs to create or edit shared workspaces, grant the appropriate role and confirm they are looking in the right sidebar section. On Frappe Cloud, expect tighter limits on editing standard sidebars than on a self-hosted deployment, where you have full control. Knowing which of these applies to you resolves most of the "the button is missing" reports seen after upgrade.

Skimmable summary: A missing "New Workspace" button or locked sidebar in v16 is usually permissions (creating/editing Public workspaces is role-gated) or hosting (standard sidebars are harder to edit on managed Frappe Cloud). Grant the role or check your hosting limits rather than assuming a bug.

Is the v16 UI change worth upgrading for?

The v16 UI change alone is not a strong reason to upgrade — it is a refinement of navigation, not a new capability. The real reasons to move to v16 are its functional additions, and the redesigned workspace is a pleasant bonus you get along the way. If you are on v15 and happy, the UI refresh does not force your hand, since v15 is supported into 2027.

Treat the interface change as part of the broader v16 decision rather than a driver of it. If you do upgrade for the features, budget a short orientation session so your team learns the new navigation quickly and does not lose time hunting for moved controls. I cover the full upgrade decision in the ERPNext v15 to v16 upgrade guide.

Skimmable summary: The v16 UI refresh is a nice refinement, not a reason to upgrade on its own — upgrade for the features and enjoy the navigation as a bonus. If you do move, plan a short team orientation so no one loses time hunting for relocated controls.

Frequently asked questions

How do I add a workspace in ERPNext v16?

Open the workspace sidebar, which is split into "My Workspaces" and "Public", and use the create control to add a new workspace — it defaults to private under My Workspaces. Enter Edit mode with the Edit button to add cards, shortcuts, and links, then save. To make it a shared Public workspace, your role must permit it. If you see no create option, it is usually a permission matter.

Where did the "New Workspace" button go in v16?

The control moved into the redesigned sidebar, and creating or editing Public workspaces is now role-gated, so users without the right role will not see it. On managed Frappe Cloud, editing standard sidebars is also more restricted than on self-hosted instances. If the button seems missing, check the user's role and your hosting rather than assuming the feature was removed.

Can I hide sidebar items I don't use in v16?

Hiding unneeded sidebar items is less straightforward in v16 than in v15, and several teams have raised this after upgrading. What you can control depends on your role and whether you are on Frappe Cloud or self-hosted. Private "My Workspaces" give you a clean personal space you fully control, which is often the simplest way to get a tidy, relevant sidebar for a given user.

Did v16 change my data or just the interface?

Only the interface. The v16 workspace redesign changes how you navigate — the sidebar layout, workspace visibility, and editing controls — but does not alter your records, transactions, or reports. Your data is exactly as it was; it is the way you move around the system that looks different. This is why the change feels bigger than it is on day one and settles quickly.

Is it hard to learn the new v16 navigation?

No — it is a short adjustment, not a steep curve. The main things to learn are the split between private "My Workspaces" and shared "Public" workspaces, the explicit Edit mode for customising, and that some actions are role-gated. A brief team orientation after upgrade covers it, after which most users find the v16 navigation cleaner and more task-focused than v15.