Set History Log preferences

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to track your edits by customizing your History Log preferences in Adobe Photoshop to save logs in metadata, a text file, or both.

The History Log in Photoshop records all image edits, which is helpful for personal records, client documentation, and legal purposes. You can choose where to save this data and how much detail to include.

Configure History Log settings

Select Edit > Preferences > History & Content Credentials (Windows) or Photoshop > Preferences > History & Content Credentials (macOS).

Select the History Log checkbox to turn it on.

Select MetadataText File, or Both to specify where the history log should be saved.

If you select Text File or Both, select Choose to set the location and name for the log file. specify the location and name for the log file.

Photoshop Preferences dialog box highlighting the History Log section with settings for saving log data and choosing the level of detail.
Set Photoshop History Log preferences to track edits in a way that fits your workflow and documentation needs.

From the Edit Log Items menu, select the level of detail: 

  • Sessions Only: Tracks when Photoshop is opened or closed.
  • Concise: Adds History panel entries along with session information.
  • Detailed: Includes Actions panel entries for complete edit tracking.

Select OK to apply your settings.

After configuration, Photoshop tracks your edits based on your preferences.

Note

Save the edit log in metadata and sign it digitally to ensure your log file security.

Caution

Using detailed logs may increase file size and slow performance.