The Preferences command (QuarkXPress/Edit > Preferences) displays the Preferences dialog box. The Preferences dialog box contains several panes that enable you to specify default settings for the various functions of the application. To view a pane, click its name in the list on the left. There are three types of preferences:

• Application preferences apply to the application and affect the way all projects are handled.
• Project preferences affect all layouts in the active project. However, if you change project preferences with no projects open, the new preferences become the default settings for all new projects.
• Layout preferences affect only the active layout. However, if you change layout preferences with no projects open, the new preferences become the default settings for all new layouts.

Additional panes and options display in the Preferences submenu when certain XTensions software is loaded.

• Nonmatching Preferences alert
• Changes to QuarkXPress preferences
• What’s in the preferences files