Preferences > Keyboard Increment in 29.7

[jmyjazz]

For years (and years), I’ve been hitting Command+K to bring up Preferences and immediately change the keyboard increment. The input box for keyboard increment used to be auto-selected, allowing me to type a new value without any extra clicks.

In the just-installed version 29.7, Command+K still opens Preferences, but now it auto-selects the search input instead. Is there any way to restore the old behaviour?

Personally, I use search only occasionally, whereas I change the keyboard increment multiple times a day. This change feels like a step backwards in terms of productivity.

[creative explorer]

@erol_sami̇_3985 This feature is similar to the search bar that has been in Photoshop's Preferences for some time, which also cannot be hidden. Adobe's design philosophy is to keep core UI elements like this consistent and readily available for all users to improve workflow efficiency. The search bar is a standard feature in the Preferences window, and there is no simple toggle button to turn it off, some users have reported that it can be removed through more technical means.

[Doug A Roberts]

...some users have reported that it can be removed through more technical means.

By @creative explorer

What are you referencing here?

[creative explorer]

@Doug A Roberts If they really want, they can always Google it. Personally, I wouldn't do it, as it open a different can of worms—unless, I need to explain that to you as well? 😁

[Doug A Roberts]

@Doug A Roberts If they really want, they can always Google it. Personally, I wouldn't do it, as it open a different can of worms—unless, I need to explain that to you as well? 😁

By @creative explorer

Please do. What method specifically are you referencing when you say that 'some users have reported that it can be removed through more technical means'? Where has this been reported?

[Ton Frederiks]

It wiil be fixed in an upcoming update:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/preferences-gt-keyboard-increment-in-29-7/td-...

[Awesome_build5465]

I’ve been an Adobe Illustrator user since 1991, and this latest change has seriously disrupted my workflow.
 
Previously, Command + K took me straight to the General Preferences, where I could quickly adjust my Keyboard Increment. I do this multiple times per minute, not per day — switching between tiny adjustments for precise nudges and larger increments when moving entire layouts between pages.
 
Now, Command + K opens a generic “Search Preferences” panel, forcing extra clicks to get where I need to be. This slows me down and breaks the fluidity of my work. For anyone who relies on rapid increment changes, this is a huge hit to efficiency.
 
This feels like a decision made without understanding how professionals actually use Illustrator day-to-day. I urge the team to restore the original Command + K behavior or give us an option to set our own default preference panel.

[Doug A Roberts]

I suggested this elsewhere but with all the topic merging I'm not sure exactly where, but could the Move dialog be an alternative for users who are accessing keyboard increments constantly?

I.e. select object, press Enter.

[AndrewC1264]

So they've added a search feature to the Preferences, now it is a fumble job to have to change measurements because all I had to do was Command+K and enter the number and return.

Now it's Command+K, FOUR TABS because it has to get from the search to the side pane that isn't even selectable so why tab into it to highlight it at all, then tab to the cancel and tab to the OK buttons and then finally onto the size dialogue box THEN ENTER to apply that number then enter to select OK

WHY??????????????????????????????????

And the type enlarging with Command+> doesn't work.

Instead of an update list can Adobe just post a "here's what we broke with this version" list so we can all review and determine if we need the newest garbage?

Thanks for adding to my chores Adobe, I know you're never really all about efficiency, just adding Ai stuff that maybe less than 10% of people use?

Can you create separate apps, one for real users and one for toddlers that need that kind of hand holding?

Adobe used to be run by people who used the apps and cared, now its just programmers adding useless junk and hoping people want it.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @AndrewC1264,

I'm sorry to hear about your workflow disruption. Would you mind creating a UserVoice for this request (https://adobe.ly/3U8If38) and adding your comments there? Doing this will help us prioritize this request, and you will be notified of any updates.

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Anubhav

[AndrewC1264]

Hi, really do not have the time to manage Adobe's apps for them since I'm not being paid to do so. Hire me as a consultant, will do all the work you want. The software needs to work, it doesn't.

"Upgrades" need to be seamless and not interupt existing workflows, this is clearly an update by a programmer who doesn't use the software, now totally breaking my ability to change measurements on the fly.

I have a list a mile long of bugs and crap I deal with on a daily basis, right now went to draw a shape in InDesign with the pen tool - it is only half filled - yet another bug that Adobe knows about, has been reported numerous times by many people, yet... here I am, stuck with having to deal with bugs in apps that cost a lot of money.

Adobe needs to assemble all of the comments in these groups and report them to their programmers and get them fixed. Not my job. Thanks.

[AndrewC1264]

So, now Adobe Illustrator isn't swtiching the measurements properly AT ALL. I have tradeshow booth layout I need to measure an element in inches but the rulers are stuck on mm. You wanna know just how many millimetres are in a tradeshow. An f-ton.

No, this is not a Document set up setting compared to the Units setting, the document is set up in inches. The Units are set to inches yet I have 580,000+++++ mms on the rulers!!!!!!! What the hell is wrong now?????????

I really cannot fathom why we are all being treated like beta testers of software that was bullet proof a decade or more ago and is now basically a sandbox for testing useless crap that gets in our way.

Fix this immediately. It is becoming embarrassing to say I use Adobe products.

[AndrewC1264]

in case anyone thinks I am lying... check out the attached.... didn't think it was even possible for Adobe Illustrator to go beyond 200in in any direct?!??!???!?!???!?!?

2675.8741 inches x 5514.5301 inches - and that is just one rectangular item on a 10' x 8' display!!!!!!! It is suppose to be about 18" tall - where the hell is this measurement coming from?

how is this even possible????????

Yes, I have restarted Adobe Illustrator. Sigh. I used to manage an office of Macs, back when Adobe was King. Now just the court jester.

?!?!??!??!??!??!?!??!?!??!

[Doug A Roberts]

This is a separate issue -- it is expected to be fixed in an upcoming release:

Issue: Object dimensions become huge after reopeni... - Adobe Product Community - 15465998

[tygraphics@me.com]

I agree 100%! For over thirty years, I have been using Command+K to enter the number and return. I can do this without looking. This "update" upsets my workflow, and I have uninstalled this version and reverted to 2024. 

[richardesignerUK]

Love this. You made me laugh out loud when I read this. I too have the same issue with the stupid search feature thats now appeared in the settings window. 

[AndrewC1264]

Glad I gave you a chuckle Richard, but honestly, a lot of updates in the past 2-3 years have been the absolute worst decisions Adobe could possibly make, do you not agree?

Adobe used to have people who actually uses the software and knew how it worked, now just programmers throwing in everything thinking we need it. Acrobat with AI garbage wanting to summarize a PDF of work that I have just exported to a proof for a client - how is that relevant? PhotoShop image processor window that won't go away after processing images - its like this was a tacked on extra from a different developer and Adobe just didn't care enough to fully implement - half-assed.

Adobe - hire people who know what they're doing. It's embarrassing.

[richardesignerUK]

Yeah. I've been using Adobe Illustrator since Freehand was around! Its definately got worse over time. I remember once using a really old version and it was lightning fast! Unfortunately its just become this bloated old fart of a program. Too many features, too much junk. Why not concentrate on getting it right for the users - rather than keep adding new stuff that just makes it run slower. And as for the bugs. Its like they rush stuff out and get us paying customers to point out their mistakes. Rubbish. Still, I imagine they are in panic mode right now with Canva and the like biting at their heels. One day a new start up will bring out a killer suite of apps that will trounche Adobe. Adobe will only have its self to blame. 

[Machado_HBT8044]

Adobe, por favor, isso é muito importante, prejudica muito a produtividade!
A minha última atualização disponível foi a 29.7.1 e continua do mesmo jeito!

[btap]

I also use this command every day, when will 29.8 be released?

[mackimi]

Ich arbeite viel mit den Tastaturschritten cmd K um Dinge präzisse und schnell zu verschieben. Nun ist beim öffnen der Voreinstellung der Kurser auf "Voreinstellungen suchen" und nicht mehr auf "Schritte per Tastatur". Vorher konnte ich super schnell arbeiten und nun muss ich ständig den Kurser auf Schritte per Tastatur stellen was mich echt nervt. Kann man das bitte irgendwie ändern?

[Machado_HBT8044]

Uso o Illustrator há 20 anos e agora em 2025 houve algumas alterações que no meu ver complicaram a produtividade, como por exemplo, quem trabalha de forma bem técnica e move elementos para poder ter ajustes precisos, utiliza muito o INCREMENTO DE TECLADO , ao abrir as preferências Ctrl+K, o cursor já ia direto para mudar a unidade, e isso era muito bom e há muitos usuários que utilizam esse recurso, de mover elementos por medida, ex: quero mover um elemento 5mm para o lado, então eu dava um Ctrl+K e digitava 5mm + ENTER, e fechava as preferencias, era muito prático, agora ao entrar Ctrl+K, o cursor cai diretamente em uma caixa de pesquisa, isso é muito ruim... perde-se muito tempo, parece bobagem, mas para quem trabalha com alta produtividade, faz toda a diferença. Por favor adobe reveja essa ação.

[lucia_4187]

Hallo zusammen,

Erklärung:

Zum einen arbeite ich viel mit Tastenkürzeln und zum anderen gehört es bei mir gängig dazu die "Schritte per Tastatur" zu ändern, um wirklich Millimeter genau zu arbeiten (technischer Bereich).

Ich habe nun folgendes Problem:

Nun, es muss ein Update gegeben haben... denn, wenn ich jetzt Strg+K verwende, gebe ich entweder meinen Wert versehentlich in die (warum auch immer jetzt) bereits aktive Suchleiste ein. Oder ich muss 4x Tab drücken, bis ich endlich am gewünschten Feld angelangt bin.

Frage:

1. Kann ich diese bereits aktive Suchleiste irgendwie deaktivieren? Wenn ja, wie?

2. Gibt es ein anderes Tastenkürzel um "Schritte per Tastatur" zu ändern? - ich kann einfach nichts in den Tastaturbefehlen finden.

Ich brauche wirklich Hilfe, diese Änderung hindert mich wirklich sehr stark am Arbeiten.

[Monika Gause]

Dazu gab es in letzter Zeit sehr viele Meldungen und es ist in der Beta bereits geändert. Sollte demnächst dann auch in der endgültigen Version sein.

[sideliner]

I have the same issue as the OP here - I use command-K constantly to type in different cursor increments, which is usually so fast I barely see the prefs window. That shortcut now defaulting to a search field is adding a lot of friction. If the dev team really has fixed that, I'll be a very happy camper indeed. Small things like this can really burn your toast 😞

[Anne Sofie B]

In previous versions, when I pressed Cmd+K, the text cursor would automatically jump to the Keyboard Increment field in Preferences. This has been one of the most valuable shortcuts in my workflow, as it allowed me to quickly specify the distance for moving objects with minimal keystrokes.
However, in the latest update, pressing Cmd+K places the cursor in the search field instead. This forces me to spend additional time navigating to the Keyboard Increment field, slowing down my workflow significantly.
Anyone else having this issue?