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Levels input widow is not highlighted


P

picpockett

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Hi,
I'm new here, first post. I'm sure I will find lots of tips and inspiration around here.

I have a strange issue. Just yesterday when I bring up a levels adjustment using command+L, there is no longer a highlighted (in blue) "0" in the input level window.
Now, I have to press the tab key in order to highlight the input level window so I can enter a value. I prefer to enter numbers instead of using the slider.

Levels.png

It is a minor quibble, but speed in my workflow is crucial sometimes. I'd love to find a way to get the value box highlighted automatically without pressing tab.

Thanks,
Daniel
 
Hello and welcome.

Have you tried restarting Photoshop? If so and that did not work, try resetting Photoshop preferences.

 
picpockett said:
Will I lose many settings if I do that?
Click to expand...
Unfortunately YES! So only do this as a last resort. Let's me check and see if I can find a simple solution. We also should see if anyone else has an idea. This is an odd predicament that I've never heard of...........................so the only thing that may help is a reset.

picpockett said:
Thanks for the help with my post also
Click to expand...
:thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
IamSam said:
Unfortunately YES! So only do this as a last resort. Let's me check and see if I can find a simple solution. We also should see if anyone else has an idea. This is an odd predicament that I've never heard of...........................so the only thing that may help is a reset.


:thumbsup::thumbsup:
Click to expand...
Thank you I will hold for now, appreciate your help 🙏
 
Offhand, I think it is normal to need to use the tab key when using the Image > Adjustments > Levels command when there are no boxes pre-selected.

Hoever, note that the Black Point Box is highlighted blue when you use a Levels Adjust Layer.

Is it possible that you have used both and expected them to be the same? That makes total sense, yet they are not the same.

Just a guess of a possibility
John Wheeler
 
thebestcpu said:
Offhand, I think it is normal to need to use the tab key when using the Image > Adjustments > Levels command when there are no boxes pre-selected.
Click to expand...
Normal for me in CS6 and CC, either way I choose a Levels adjustment, I get a blue highlighted black point value window. No need to use the tab key. However, either way I choose a Levels adjustment layer, the black point value window is neither highlighted or blue. The tab key does not work either (it does something different), so I have to mouseclick any of the value windows in order to highlight/select.
 
thebestcpu said:
Offhand, I think it is normal to need to use the tab key when using the Image > Adjustments > Levels command when there are no boxes pre-selected.

Hoever, note that the Black Point Box is highlighted blue when you use a Levels Adjust Layer.

Is it possible that you have used both and expected them to be the same? That makes total sense, yet they are not the same.

Just a guess of a possibility
John Wheeler
Click to expand...
Not the same experience for me, I never had to press tab until something changed yesterday, with Image > Adjustments > Levels adjustment. And when I use a levels layer adjustment, I have nothing highlighted either. I'm unsure if I did before, I don't really use it that way as much.

Screenshot 2025-03-28 at 7.33.29 pm.png

Screenshot 2025-03-28 at 7.34.29 pm.png
 
IamSam said:
Normal for me in CS6 and CC, either way I choose a Levels adjustment, I get a blue highlighted black point value window. No need to use the tab key. However, either way I choose a Levels adjustment layer, the black point value window is neither highlighted or blue. The tab key does not work either (it does something different), so I have to mouseclick any of the value windows in order to highlight/select.
Click to expand...
Oh this is something different again, no ability to use Tab. I am using version 26.4.1 of Photoshop 2025 from Adobe Creative Cloud.

I just saw there is an update to Photoshop, which coincidentally changes something with the adjustment panel interface! I'll download and install that and see if it's reverted for me.

EDIT: no change :(
 
Very Odd. I just updated to the most recent version of Photoshop (26.5.0) and when I open the Levels Adjustment Command the tab function works just fine.
I am using a Mac with Sonoma OS.
I know the behavior of commands can change somewhat depending on Mode, e.g. RGB vs CMYK, vs Lab etc and sometimes bit depth so not sure where the problem lies.

Resetting Preferences may or may not help you. Another option would be to start the computer up in Safe mode. Sometimes there are "helper" programs running i the background that interferes with other open programs.

I think I am at the end of suggestion to try since it works on my computer.
Also, I have never seen where it preselects the Adjustment Levels Command to the Black Point so another odditiy that I could not reproduce.

Hope you or someone can figure this one out. If you find a solution, please post the solution.
John Wheeler
 
thebestcpu said:
when I open the Levels Adjustment Command the tab function works just fine.
Click to expand...
My tab key function works just fine if I open a Levels adjustment (Cmd+L or Image > Adjustments > Levels).

The tab key function does not work when I open a Levels adjustment layer.
 
IamSam said:
My tab key function works just fine if I open a Levels adjustment (Cmd+L or Image > Adjustments > Levels).

The tab key function does not work when I open a Levels adjustment layer.
Click to expand...
Definitley inconsistent behavior among our systems.
For a Levels Adjustment Layer, the black point comes preselected and the tab key rotates among all the numeric input positions. Go Figure
John Wheeler
 
New observation.............in a Levels Adjustment layer, if I click in a value window, the tab key will then cycle through the remaining windows.
 
thebestcpu said:
If there is not something else in the systems interrelated with this issue, this sounds like a PS bug. A minor bug yet still a bug.
Click to expand...
An odd one for sure, but definitely a possible bug.

picpockett said:
Not the same experience for me, I never had to press tab until something changed yesterday
Click to expand...
Like John stated, I've not found anything on this type of issue. Resetting Ps may be your next option. I know it seems to clear up a lot of "issues" with Ps. I've had do do it myself a few times.
 
IamSam said:
An odd one for sure, but definitely a possible bug.


Like John stated, I've not found anything on this type of issue. Resetting Ps may be your next option. I know it seems to clear up a lot of "issues" with Ps. I've had do do it myself a few times.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your replies everybody, it's nice to at least get some educated minds to try and help.

@IamSam - if I am to do a reset, do I lose actions, filters and the like? Is there something I can read about what I will have to reinstate after doing a PS reset?

It is such a minor issue, but if I can fix it I would like to.
 
How very odd. Another possible solution would be a clean install. This would of course eliminate all addons/plugins etc. But only if it becomes an imperative for you to cure the issue!!!
 
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