Properties panel fields don’t accept numeric input until focus resets (MacBook Pro, Illustrator 2025, macOS Sequoia 15.5)
On my MacBook Pro (2023) running macOS Sequoia 15.5 with Illustrator 2025, I’m running into a recurring focus bug in the Properties panel numeric fields (Width, Height, Stroke Weight, etc.).
Steps to reproduce:
1. Select an object.
2. Click once in the Width (W) or Height (H) field in the Properties panel.
• The field highlights, but no blinking text cursor appears.
3. Attempt to type a number.
• Input is ignored — Illustrator interprets the keystrokes as shortcuts instead of text.
4. Workaround:
• Open the Transform panel (Window > Transform) and type numbers there.
• After doing this, the Properties panel fields suddenly allow input again (cursor blinks and numbers can be typed).
Expected result:
Clicking into a Properties panel numeric field should always place the text cursor and accept number input.
Actual result:
Single-clicking sometimes only highlights the field without giving text focus, preventing numbers from being entered.
System details:
• MacBook Pro 2023
• macOS Sequoia 15.5
• Illustrator 2025 (please see About Illustrator for exact build/version)
Impact:
This slows down workflow significantly when adjusting object dimensions, since numeric entry is inconsistent and requires panel switching as a workaround.
Jennifer Yaple
shared this idea
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Marnix Garner
commented
There's program fault in illustrator on the Mac, I cannot type in values sometimes in the main side panel. If I expand the panels via the 3 dots I can then type in the value. It happens with all the field entries.
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Daniel
commented
No, I cannot, and here’s why: When the bug appeared on my Mac OS15, it was ongoing through a couple of restarts. ChatGPT 5 suggested it was a known issue, and that nothing I could do would fix it. Though I should know better, I believed it. I copyandpasted Chat’s text and posted it here. Now, after dumping Illustrator prefs and another restart, the issue has disappeared.
So, apologies to the group, along with relief that AGI is not here yet.
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Daniel, can you share links to the community reports mentioned, please?
When a value is confirmed — does it stay in the field, or does the previous value appear back? -
Daniel
commented
Reporting a UI regression in Illustrator 30.1 affecting numeric input fields.
Issue
In fields such as Stroke Width (Properties panel) and others, cannot type numeric values directly like we used to.* Arrow keys and scrubby dragging work
* Typed input is ignored (caret often never appears)
* This makes precise values (e.g., 240 pt) extremely impracticalEnvironment
* Illustrator version: 30.1
* OS: (macOS / Windows – occurs on both, per community reports)
* Panel affected most often: Properties (Stroke, Transform, etc.)Notes
* The former **“Scrubby Sliders” preference appears removed or always-on**
* The issue behaves like a **focus/caret bug**, not user error
* Using Cmd+A then typing, or pasting values, works as a workaround
* Stroke panel is less affected than Properties panel
* Disabling GPU Performance reduces frequency but does not resolve the issueExpected behavior
Numeric fields should reliably accept typed input when clicked, as in previous versions.Impact
This slows professional workflows and precision design tasks.Would love to have type-in fields back in 30.2. But I’m sure I’ll survive either way.
Thanks.
