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information seri15162104
Participant
September 26, 2019
Answered

Missing bitmap option in Photoshop

  • September 26, 2019
  • 12 replies
  • 68731 views

Photoshop CC is suddenly missing its ability to save as/export files as a bitmap file. This happened overnight, because I saved a file to bitmap just yesterday. What gives? I use photoshop on my iMac Pro. 

 

{Thread renamed by moderator}

Correct answer PECourtejoie

Hi, do you mean a .BMP file? if the file has layers, you need to Save a Copy, not just do a save as. 

https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/saving-images.html#Set_file_saving_preferences

12 replies

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SJRiegel
Legend
September 26, 2019

What is the file's current color mode? Not every mode can be converted to bimap--you may need to choose an intermeidate mode first.

    I
    information seri15162104Author
    Participant
    September 26, 2019
    It's RGB like always. And suddenly the Bitmap save option is back in my menu drop down. Weird. Thanks everyone.
      K
      kellyb22601018
      Participant
      November 10, 2020

      I have the same problem and I still do not see if in my drop down menu. I followed everyone's suggestions and it still does not work.

        Sahil.Chawla
        Adobe Employee
        Sahil.Chawla
        Adobe Employee
        September 26, 2019

        Hi there,

        Please try the steps mentioned below and let us know if it helps:

        • Choose File > Save As, and choose BMP from the Format menu.
        • Specify a filename and location, and click Save.
        • In the BMP Options dialog box, select a file format, specify the bit depth and, if necessary, select Flip Row Order. For more options, click Advanced Modes and specify the BMP options.
        • Click OK.

         

        Regards,
        Sahil

         
         
         
          M
          mike331570516n2t
          Participant
          March 22, 2025

          This just started today.  I built a multi-layer .psd file, with multiple channels.  Once I had save that .psd file, I flattened the layers, and removed ALL of the extra channels (NOT my RGB, or Red/Green/Blue channels)  except for the Alpha 1   channel.  My remaining channels are:

          RGB

          Red

          Green

          Blue

          Alpha 1

          I have tried "Save As" and Ctrl + Shift + S, and  "Save a Copy" in order to save this file as a 32-bit bitmap  (.bmp) file.

           

          Five minutes before this, I had successfully saved the file as a 32-bit file.  Though the History menu, I backed out to before the point where I had flattened and deleted the other channels, so that I had the original .psd file.  I duplicated this file, reamed it, and changed some colors.  I save this new .psd file.  I then removed all channels except the color channels and the Alpha 1 channel.  I tried saving the new file as a .bmp, pulling up the men, selecting .bmp...  and nothing happened.  

           

          As soon as I clicked "Save", I wass asked if I wanted to overwrite another file with the same name.  I clicked on "Yes", the folder disappeared, and nothing else happened.  No Option to select the bit depthh. or anything else.  Also, the excisting file with the same name was not overwritten.

           

          This is a very small file, 128 pixels square.  Color mode is RGB.   Closing  out the program and restarting did not help

           

          This is all in PS 2025.  It worked fine last weekend, and worked as designed five mintes before I began typing this.  I have no idea what is going on.  I'm certailnly not a new user as I have CD's going back to Photoshop 7.0

          Claire H.
          Community Manager
          Claire H.Community Manager
          Community Manager
          March 26, 2025

          Hi @mike331570516n2t, welcome to the Photoshop forums! To help us better understand and address the problem, could you please create a new post with the following information:

          • Issue - a short description of the problem. 
          • Steps to reproduce - Recreate a numbered list of the steps you take to reproduce the issue, as you mentioned above. 
          • Expected result - what should happen after executing the last step.
          • Actual result -  what actually occurred after the previous step.
          • Adobe Photoshop version
          • Operating System - specify Windows or macOS, along with the version

          This information will allow us to provide more accurate guidance and find a solution that works for you. Thanks! ^CH

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