Edit text on a type layer

Last updated on Oct 4, 2026

Learn how to Edit text on a type layer in Photoshop.

Use edit text to modify text content on a type layer without affecting text resolution, effects, and styles. Ensure that the Type layer on your image is editable in Photoshop 2020 or later.

Edit text on a type layer

Select the Move tool

Choose the text on the canvas with a double-click.

Position the insertion point and select text or characters

Modify text or characters as desired.

Select Commit or use Esc key to save the changes.

Note

The text edits are automatically saved when focus is moved to other actions. To cancel the changes, use Cancel option.

Configure Esc key

By default, the Esc key saves text edits.

To configure Esc key function,

Select Edit > Preferences > Type (Windows) and deselect Use ESC key to commit text.

Smart quotes

Smart quotes (curly quotation marks and apostrophes) blend naturally with most typefaces, while straight quotes work better for measurements like feet and inches.

Select,
Edit > Preferences > Type Options (for Windows)

Photoshop > Preferences > Type Options (for Mac OS)

Select or Deselect Use Smart Quotes checkbox.

Note

Photoshop calculates default font size based on resolution and zoom factor, the default size is 12 pt.

For text appearance adjustments, see Align line and character spacing, and anti-aliasing.