Mac mini M2 Pro
Illustrator 29.7.1

In the last version of Illustrator, a field named "Search Preferences" was added in Preferences (command-Κ) and it is selected by default instead of "Keyboard Increment" field that was the default for ages. This is very frustrating for the users of Illustrator that use it for many decades. Now it takes 4 tabs to move the cursor to this field so you can type the value or you have to use the mouse. This is something that is used hundreds of times a day and I think that nobody asked for such a change. Can you please set the default field back to "Keyboard Increment" and set the new field to be activated by mouse click?

Command+K for changing the increment is something I do hundred+ times a day as a professional graphic artworker since 1987. PLEASE ADOBE, REVERT THIS CHANGE. I COSTS ME SO MUCH EXTRA TIME A DAY!

I wonder if there should be a new way to quickly modify keyboard increments, sounds like it is pretty vital to productivity

While the search function is nice, I am constantly changing the keyboard increment as a production designer, and the new focus on the search field is massively throwing me off my workflow.

The ratio of me needing to change the keyboard increment vs me needing the search field is probably 1000:1. Every other Preference is one that I probably set once on a fresh install and very rarely change after that.

I understand why the decision was made, but there needs to be a radio button that allows users to choose which field gets highlighted when the preferences window is called.

Hi,
I am a repro artist and I change the keyboard increment more than 200 times a day for step and repeat functionality. This new update has cut down my productivity and is simply frustrating.

I finally ended up reverting back to the previous version.

Please provide an option to set the default focus when opening the preferences dialogue.

I understand the need for a search panel in Preferences, but auto-focusing the search input seems unnecessary - especially when it overrides a long-standing, efficient way to adjust a key tool. While consistency across the UI has its place, in this case it feels like it’s come at the cost of usability. Unless most users genuinely prioritise visual consistency over speed and convenience (which seems doubtful), this change does more harm than good.

I would add that, as a graphic designer myself, I use the keyboard increment option almost 1,000 times a week. So imagine the number of tabs...
It's just ****. I had to update because the fonts kept changing on their own, and now this. Are you trying to make our lives **** or what?

This feature was requested by users, here: http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/50114196 (coming from 2021)
Originally, when introduced in 29.7.0.60, the field was not focused by default — and one of the reasons behind that was the legacy access to Keyboard Increment.
However, Search is focused by default everywhere it exists in various Settings and Preferences: Inkscape, Affinity Designer. Figma (for Quick Actions, with most settings exposed)... Non-graphics apps has it like this too: Visual Studio Code, JetBrains IDEs... Windows’ Settings, Mac’s System Preferences. Adobe is late to the party, and this usually interferes with existing workflows, when finally gets addressed (in both sides).
Another request got made (by me): http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/50114175 — and implemented in the next build (a found field / option doesn’t get focused still though).

Pressing Tab four times is not good indeed — especially when this needs to be customized that often. Windows allows to use accessibility keys, and Alt+K focuses Keyboard Increment. MacOS, as far as I know, has nothing like this to offer...
I am informing the team about this.