Request: Use middle mouse button to pan around canvas

[Ahmet26047475ozev]

Add the ability for us to pan around the canvas using the middle mouse button. It's more time saving to use it compared to going for the spacebar since your hand is already on the mouse.

We have been asking for this feature for over 10 years. We shouldn't have to look for third party software or buy gaming mice with programable buttons to jerry rig something close enough at this point. Some people can't use normal/gaming mice anyways due to injury or disability so we're locked out of those options.

Last I checked you have this canvas panning feature in After Effects. Why introduce super useful features, but keep them exclusive to only one of your apps? I've noticeed this so many times on different Adobe programs it's honestly annoying..

[brumby0890]

I second this.

It's available in Illustrator and After Effects but not in Photoshop for some reason.

The middle click was implemented in 1996 by Microsoft (Intellimouse), and since then, it has been widely adopted by all computer mouse manufacturers:

But for some reason, Adobe has not taken full advantage of having a scroll wheel with a middle click, even after 27 years.

[Nova26430194nr14]

Its not just After Effects. Animate, and Illustrator both have this functionality as a default. So many softwares nowadays use it, blender, maya, unity, godot, and so many more. The fact that this hasn't been implemented as at least an option in Adobes most used program is insane, especially as its been asked for for over 10 years! I just found a post today from 12 years ago asking about it. 

[Cheerful_artwork9175]

Here two years later to upvote.

It's painfully annoying especially while editing within a text layer. I press space but end up screwing up the text. I need to click out of the layer, click space, then click left mouse → (3) buttons for what should be (1).

[jeffery_5038]

this is a wonderful idea

[Curran Creates]

Hello Adobe Team,

 I’d like to request a feature that I believe would significantly improve workflow efficiency: the ability to use the middle mouse button (scroll wheel click/hold) to pan the canvas (i.e. act like the Hand tool) in Photoshop.

Why this matters

1. It’s a de facto standard
   Many creative and design tools allow panning via the middle mouse button by default. It feels natural, intuitive, and ergonomic. In forums, users frequently mention that “almost every design program uses the middle mouse button … it has become a standard 
   The lack of this basic function in Photoshop feels inconsistent—especially since other Adobe apps (e.g. Illustrator, After Effects) already support it.

2. Improves efficiency & ergonomics
   Using the spacebar + left-click to pan works, but it interrupts tool flow and requires extra finger motion. Many designers switch rapidly between brushes, selection tools, and panning. Allowing the middle mouse to pan would eliminate friction in that workflow.

3. Consistency across apps
   It doesn’t make sense to force Photoshop users to deviate from the conventions users have in other apps or expect from modern design software.

Proposed behavior

• When the user clicks and holds the middle mouse button, Photoshop would temporarily activate the Hand (Pan) tool.

• Upon release, return to the previously selected tool.

• Optionally, make it togglable (i.e. user can enable or disable this behavior).

• This could be placed next to the “Zoom with Scroll Wheel” toggle in Preferences > Tools, or as an independent preference.