Configure and navigate the Timeline panel

Last updated on Oct 10, 2026

Learn how to adjust display settings and move through frames to optimize your animation workspace in Photoshop.

The Timeline panel provides display and navigation controls for frame-based and timeline-based animation workflows.

Photoshop with an open document containing at least one layer.

The Timeline panel is visible (select Window > Timeline if needed).

Adjust thumbnail display

Select Panel Options from the Timeline panel menu.

Select a thumbnail size option, or select None in timeline mode to display only layer names.

Change timeline measurement units

Select Panel Options from the Timeline panel menu and select Frame Numbers or Timecode.

Alternatively, Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (macOS) the current-time display in the upper-left corner of the timeline.

Show or hide layer properties

Select the triangle to the left of the layer name in the timeline.

View the exposed properties, including Position, Opacity, and Style.

Filter layers using favorites

Select one or more layers in the Timeline panel.

Select Show > Set Favorite Layers from the Timeline panel menu.

Select Show from the Timeline panel menu, then choose All Layers or Favorite Layers.

Note

This setting affects only timeline display and doesn't modify rendered output.

Navigate frames and set the current time

Use any of these methods:

  • Drag the current-time indicator along the time ruler.
  • Select a number or location in the time ruler.
  • Double-click the current-time display and enter a specific frame number or timecode.
  • Select the playback controls at the bottom of the Timeline panel.

Switch animation modes

Select the Convert to Frame Animation icon or the Convert to Timeline Animation

icon at the bottom of the
Timeline
panel.
Caution

Converting from timeline animation to frame animation may remove some interpolated keyframes.

Set document animation properties

Select Document Settings from the Timeline panel menu.

Enter a Duration value to specify the total length.

Enter or select a Frame Rate value appropriate for your output format.

Alert

Reducing document duration trims frames and keyframes from the end of your timeline. Any animation content beyond the new duration point is permanently removed when you save the document.