photoshop elemets 2 help

[greenapplesodaex]

i know this should go int he photoshop section, but no one ever looks in there so... sorry la~~~

i'm trying to apply layer style. but the little "f" doesnt show up, and i go layer-> layer style->style setting and it's greyed out!!! anyone know what's going on and how i can fix it? thanx

[Genesis]

It could be lots of things, obvious things to check are:

1) Are you on the right layer? You can't apply layer styles to the background.
2) Is the layer locked? You can't apply layer styles to locked layers.
3) Is the image in RGB mode (It should be), you can't use layer styles, or much else in modes such as Indexed Colour.

If you still need help, post a screenshot that includes your layers window with the layer you want the style on selected, I'll tell you what the problem is.

[greenapplesodaex]

o~~~~~~ rgb, that maybe what's messing me up... tried to add shadow on a text layer