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Contextual Task Bar

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Photoshop Elements

Photoshop Elements

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  1. Get to know Photoshop Elements
  2. Photoshop Elements User Guide
  3. Introduction to Photoshop Elements
    1. What's new in Photoshop Elements
    2. System requirements | Photoshop Elements
    3. Workspace basics
    4. Guided mode
    5. Making photo projects
  4. Workspace and environment
    1. Get to know the Home screen
    2. Workspace basics
    3. Preferences
    4. Tools
    5. Contextual task bar
    6. Panels and bins
    7. Open files
    8. Rulers, grids, and guides
    9. Enhanced Quick Mode
    10. File information
    11. Presets and libraries
    12. Multitouch support
    13. Scratch disks, plug-ins, and application updates
    14. Undo, redo, and cancel actions
    15. Viewing images
    16. Importing Files
  5. Fixing and enhancing photos
    1. Resize images
    2. Cropping
    3. Process camera raw image files
    4. Add blur, replace colors, and clone image areas
    5. Adjust shadows and light
    6. Retouch and correct photos
    7. Restore Photos
    8. Combine Photos
    9. Sharpen photos
    10. Transforming
    11. Auto Smart Tone
    12. Recomposing
    13. Using actions to process photos
    14. Photomerge Compose
    15. Create a panorama
    16. Moving Overlays
    17. Moving Elements
    18. Moving Photos
  6. Adding shapes and text
    1. Add text
    2. Edit text
    3. Spell Checker
    4. Create shapes
    5. Editing shapes
    6. Painting overview
    7. Painting tools
    8. Set up brushes
    9. Patterns
    10. Fills and strokes
    11. Gradients
    12. Work with Asian type
  7. Quick Actions
  8. Generative AI
    1. Generate Image
    2. Insert Object
  9. Guided edits, effects, and filters
    1. Guided mode
    2. Filters
    3. Guided mode Photomerge edits
    4. Guided mode Basic edits
    5. Adjustment filters
    6. Effects
    7. Guided mode Fun edits
    8. Guided mode Special edits
    9. Artistic filters
    10. Guided mode Color edits
    11. Guided mode Black & White edits
    12. Blur filters
    13. Brush Stroke filters
    14. Distort filters
    15. Other filters
    16. Noise filters
    17. Render filters
    18. Sketch filters
    19. Stylize filters
    20. Texture filters
    21. Pixelate filters
  10. Working with colors
    1. Understanding color
    2. Set up color management
    3. Color and tonal correction basics
    4. Choose colors
    5. Adjust color, saturation, and hue
    6. Fix color casts
    7. Using image modes and color tables
    8. Color and camera raw
  11. Working with selections
    1. Make selections in Photoshop Elements
    2. Saving selections
    3. Modifying selections
    4. Move and copy selections
    5. Edit and refine selections
    6. Smooth selection edges with anti-aliasing and feathering
  12. Working with layers
    1. Create layers
    2. Edit layers
    3. Copy and arrange layers
    4. Adjustment and fill layers
    5. Clipping masks
    6. Layer masks
    7. Layer styles
    8. Opacity and blending modes
  13. Creating photo projects
    1. Project basics
    2. Making photo projects
    3. Editing photo projects
    4. Creating Photo Reels
  14. Saving, printing, and sharing photos
    1. Save images
    2. Printing photos
    3. Share photos online
    4. Optimizing images
    5. Optimizing images for the JPEG format
    6. Dithering in web images
    7. Guided Edits - Share panel
    8. Previewing web images
    9. Use transparency and mattes
    10. Optimizing images for the GIF or PNG-8 format
    11. Optimizing images for the PNG-24 format
  15. Keyboard shortcuts
    1. Keys for selecting tools
    2. Keys for selecting and moving objects
    3. Keys for the Layers panel
    4. Keys for showing or hiding panels (expert mode)
    5. Keys for painting and brushes
    6. Keys for using text
    7. Keys for the Liquify filter
    8. Keys for transforming selections
    9. Keys for the Color Swatches panel
    10. Keys for the Camera Raw dialog box
    11. Keys for the Filter Gallery
    12. Keys for using blending modes
    13. Keys for viewing images (expertmode)

Use the Contextual Task Bar, an on-canvas menu in Photoshop Elements, to access context-sensitive tools, options, and next steps for common workflows. 

Introduced in Photoshop Elements 2026.

The Contextual Task Bar is a dynamic menu that appears depending on the tool selected or current selection. It's designed to give quick access to relevant options without the need for navigating across multiple panels and menus.

The Contextual Task Bar can be docked, floated, or hidden according to workflow preferences. Its options update depending on the active tool.

Note

It’s enabled by default but can be hidden by selecting Window > Contextual Task Bar. In some workflows like Crop, Place, or Transform, the Contextual Task Bar remains visible to keep essential controls accessible.

Getting Started

  1. To Open or Close the Contextual Task Bar

    • Go to Window > Contextual Task Bar.
    • Toggle to show or hide it.

  2. To reposition, drag it by the handle on the left.

  3. To pin or reset the position of the Contextual Task Bar:

    • Click the three-dot menu on the right side of the bar.
    • Select Reset bar position to restore the bar to its default location.
    • Select Pin bar position to lock the bar in your preferred location.

How to use Contextual Task Bar

When you open a photo in Photoshop Elements Editor, the Contextual Task Bar appears with the following default options:

  • A - Select Subject
  • B - Remove Background
  • C - Quick Actions

The options in the Contextual Task Bar automatically update based on the tool you select or the action you perform.

Select Subject

Use Select Subject from the Contextual Task Bar to make a selection and perform the following functions:

  • Invert Selection.
  • Deselect.

Remove Background

Select Remove background to automatically detect and remove background from the photo.

Quick Actions

Select Quick Actions icon to open the Quick Actions Panel and perform a quick action on the photo.

Rotate or flip with Transform

In Advanced room, Select command + T (macOS) / control (Windows) + T to start a transform workflow, then use the Contextual Task Bar to perform the following functions:

  • Rotate objects clockwise and counterclockwise on the canvas.
  • Flip the image horizontally and vertically.
Note

Available in Advanced mode only.

Rotate or flip with Place

Select File > Place... to place an image, then use the Contextual Task Bar to perform the following functions:

  • Rotate objects clockwise and counterclockwise on the canvas.
  • Flip the image horizontally and vertically.

Import an Image

Open a blank canvas by selecting File > New... > Blank File..., then use the Contextual Task Bar to import an image.

Make selections with Smart Brush Tool

Select Smart Brush tool from the tool bar in Advanced room, and then use the Contextual Tool Bar to perform the following actions.

  • New Selection
  • Add Selection
  • Subtract Selection
Note

Available in Advanced mode only.

Working with Photo projects

Double-click on a photo in a Photo project to display the Contextual Task Bar and then use it to

  • Rotate your photo left or right
  • Zoom in or out
  • Replace the photo
  • Delete the photo

Once you have made the desired changes, click the Done button to commit your changes.

To learn more about Photo projects in Photoshop Elements, click here.

Working with Frames

Double-click on the photo inside the Frame to display the Contextual Task Bar and then use it to

  • Rotate your photo left or right
  • Zoom in or out
  • Replace the photo

Once you have made the desired changes, click the Done button to commit your changes.

Adobe, Inc.

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