Skip to main content
C
ChaoticPenguin
Participating Frequently
December 4, 2024
Answered

How do I get the hex code to show up in the Color Panel?

  • December 4, 2024
  • 3 replies
  • 2815 views

I have searched this every way I can think of and have not found an answer.  I want the Hex Code inside of the Color Panel. I do not want to open the foreground color to get the Hex Code. All of the responses I've found lay out the reasons why Hex Codes aren't great or explain opening the color picker every single time. The problem is, I only want to reference a single number. I don't want to have to remember 3 different numbers (RGB) when I'm trying to figure out what I did 20 steps back. I have executive function issues and I can't hold 3 numbers in my head when I'm sampling numerous colors that are very similar to see if I'm on the correct color or not. I need one single number to check it against. So my question is, how do I get the Hex code to show up in the Color Panel so I only have one number to reference and I don't have to keep opening the foreground color over and over?

 

Or, if that's not possible, how to I get the Swatch Panel to highlight the swatch I just clicked with the eyedroper INSIDE the Swatch Group it's from? I want it to highlight the one I just sampled, not the last one I chose to use. And I want it to highlight it within the folder/group I created and am using, not the Show Recents. 

 

My image is already in 8 bits and RGB.

TIA

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Conrad_C

I don‘t think this will address everything, but it might help a little, at least…

 

Yes, it’s annoying that the only place Photoshop will show, and allow pasting of, the RGB hex color values as a single number is in the Color Picker dialog box. And I don’t think there’s a way to highlight a color in the Swatches panel that matches the currently sampled color. (I like that idea, though.) The problem might be that the Swatches panel is in the category of “presets” panels (swatches are basically “color presets”), so similar to other panels that contain presets (Gradients, Shapes…), presets panels are only about applying, not reporting on the current selection.

 

That said, there are other ways to get at the hex value, see the demo below. This is what happens in the demo:

 

1. Color panel: (Jeff already mentioned this) Set to Web Color Sliders. Sure, that gives you a hex display, but the three values are still separate, unfortunately, so they can’t be copied as one value. 

2. Info panel: Set a color readout to Web Color. This is just another way to get a color value readout in different formats, but unfortunately it can’t be copied. And, it’s still three separate values. But you still might find it useful. 

3. Sample a color, then click the Color panel menu and choose Copy Color’s Hex Code. Now you have the RGB color values all together, and can paste them anywhere that accepts plain text. I showed pasting it on the document in a text layer. 

4. Alternate to #3: When sampling a color, right-click to open the context menu, and choose Copy Color’s Hex Code. I pasted this value on a text layer too, so now two different RGB hex values are visible as text. 

 

3 replies

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 5, 2024

Another option is to run a script that will copy the current foreground colour as a hex code to the clipboard as text. This can be easily triggered via keyboard shortcut or an action etc. This creates a single-step option from the multi-step option demonstrated by @Conrad_C 

 

C
ChaoticPenguinAuthor
Participating Frequently
December 7, 2024

Thank you so much. I will give this a try!

Conrad_C
Community Expert
Conrad_CCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
December 5, 2024

I don‘t think this will address everything, but it might help a little, at least…

 

Yes, it’s annoying that the only place Photoshop will show, and allow pasting of, the RGB hex color values as a single number is in the Color Picker dialog box. And I don’t think there’s a way to highlight a color in the Swatches panel that matches the currently sampled color. (I like that idea, though.) The problem might be that the Swatches panel is in the category of “presets” panels (swatches are basically “color presets”), so similar to other panels that contain presets (Gradients, Shapes…), presets panels are only about applying, not reporting on the current selection.

 

That said, there are other ways to get at the hex value, see the demo below. This is what happens in the demo:

 

1. Color panel: (Jeff already mentioned this) Set to Web Color Sliders. Sure, that gives you a hex display, but the three values are still separate, unfortunately, so they can’t be copied as one value. 

2. Info panel: Set a color readout to Web Color. This is just another way to get a color value readout in different formats, but unfortunately it can’t be copied. And, it’s still three separate values. But you still might find it useful. 

3. Sample a color, then click the Color panel menu and choose Copy Color’s Hex Code. Now you have the RGB color values all together, and can paste them anywhere that accepts plain text. I showed pasting it on the document in a text layer. 

4. Alternate to #3: When sampling a color, right-click to open the context menu, and choose Copy Color’s Hex Code. I pasted this value on a text layer too, so now two different RGB hex values are visible as text. 

 

    C
    ChaoticPenguinAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 7, 2024

    Thank you so very much! It's not ideal, but #3 & #4 will work.  I really appreaciate the screen recording. That was extremely helpful!!!

    Jeff Arola
    Community Expert
    Jeff ArolaCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    December 5, 2024

    You can set the color panel to Web Color Sliders

     

    C
    ChaoticPenguinAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    December 7, 2024

    Thank you for responding. I tried this previously, but I still don't see the Hex code all in one box (ie so I can copy and paste it when needed). How do I get it to show the Hex code all in one box?

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices