ERPNext v16 Workspaces: The New UI Explained (2026)

Every major ERPNext release refreshes the interface, and v16's biggest visible change is navigation. The workspace and sidebar were rebuilt, which is good once you know the layout and disorienting on day one; hence the "where did the New Workspace button go?" threads on the community forum after upgrades. This guide maps the new UI.

The v16 workspace changes are mostly good: cleaner navigation, private workspaces, filtered sidebar links. But the controls moved and a few actions are now gated by role or hosting. Knowing that turns the confusion into a short orientation. I run ERPNext and Frappe implementations at MithTech, a team of Frappe specialists in Bengaluru.

What changed in the ERPNext v16 workspace?

The sidebar now separates "My Workspaces" (private to you) from "Public" workspaces, desktop icons open the matching workspace sidebar, and sidebar links can open lists with filters already applied. Editing happens in a distinct Edit mode rather than being always on.

v16 also tidies up: orphaned workspace and sidebar entries are removed, and the sidebar highlights the page you are on even when the URL carries anchors or filters. None of this touches your data; it only changes how you move around.

Skimmable summary: private "My Workspaces" and "Public" in the sidebar, sidebars opened from desktop icons, pre-filtered links, and a distinct Edit mode. Navigation only; data is untouched.

What did v16.50 change in October 2026?

Frappe's v16.50 release (announced 7 October 2026, no breaking changes) reorganised navigation again. The desktop now shows only app icons. Opening an app shows a dock on the left with a trimmed list of its modules, and each module has a sidebar of its most-used links. The defaults are curated, and sidebars can be customised for the whole site or for each user. The dock can be pinned or shown on hover.

Workspaces sit inside that hierarchy (app, then module, then its DocTypes, reports, pages, workspaces and dashboards) and can be added to a module's sidebar. If your team prefers the earlier layout, Desktop Settings can switch back to it.

Skimmable summary: v16.50 adds an apps desktop, a module dock and per-module sidebars that can be customised per site or per user; Desktop Settings switches back to the older layout.

How do I add a new workspace in ERPNext v16?

Use the sidebar's create control. The new workspace lands under "My Workspaces" as a private space or, with the right permissions, as a Public one. Private workspaces are visible only to their owner; Public workspaces are shared, and creating or editing them depends on your role. If you cannot see a "New Workspace" option at all, it is usually a permission matter, not a missing feature.

This is the orientation I give teams after an upgrade.

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

Skimmable summary: add a workspace from the sidebar's create control; it defaults to private. Build it in Edit mode, and publish it as Public if your role allows.

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

Usually permissions or hosting. Creating or editing Public workspaces is role-gated, so a user without the right role will not see those controls. Standard sidebars often cannot be edited on Frappe Cloud the way a self-hosted site allows.

If a user needs to create or edit shared workspaces, grant the role and check they are looking in the right sidebar section. On Frappe Cloud, expect tighter limits on editing standard sidebars than on a self-hosted site. If the sidebar throws an error instead of just hiding a control, see the workspace settings error fix.

Skimmable summary: a missing "New Workspace" button or locked sidebar is usually a role (Public workspaces are role-gated) or hosting limit (standard sidebars on Frappe Cloud). Copy customised standard workspaces out before upgrading.

Is the v16 UI change worth upgrading for?

Not on its own: it refines navigation rather than adding a capability. The reasons to move to v16 are its functional additions; the new workspace comes along with them. If you are on v15 and happy, the UI does not force your hand, since Frappe plans v15 support until the end of 2027.

Treat the interface as part of the wider v16 decision. If you upgrade for the features, budget a short orientation so your team learns the new navigation quickly. The full upgrade decision and steps are in ERPNext v15 vs v16.

Skimmable summary: the UI is not a reason to upgrade by itself; upgrade for the features, and plan a short team orientation.

Frequently asked questions