Copy and paste layers

Copying and pasting layers transfers complete layer data between documents, including bitmap and vector masks, layer effects, and Smart Object references. This method preserves all layer properties while creating independent duplicates in the destination document.

Use copy and paste to transfer layers between documents while preserving all layer properties. For duplicating layers within the same document, use Layer > Duplicate Layer. For repositioning existing content without creating duplicates, drag layers between document windows with the Move tool.

Copy and paste layers

The pasted layer appears in the center of the destination document canvas. The pasted layer appears with at least some portion visible on the canvas.

Paste layers in their original position

Paste In Place keeps the copied content in the same position relative to the canvas edges.

Create a document sized to copied layers

The Clipboard preset creates a document with dimensions matching the bounding box of all copied layers.

Manage color and resolution.

When pasting between documents, Photoshop may display a color profile mismatch dialog if the source and destination documents use different color profiles. You can convert colors to match the destination document or keep the original colors. Your color management settings in Edit > Color Settings determine when these prompts appear.

If you paste layers between documents with different resolutions, the pasted content retains its pixel dimensions. This can make pasted elements appear larger or smaller than they are in the destination document. To maintain visual consistency, use Image > Image Size to match resolutions before copying and pasting, or use Edit > Free Transform to resize pasted content.

Understand Smart Object copy-paste behavior

To maintain connections between Smart Object instances across documents, use linked Smart Objects. Linked Smart Objects reference external source files, ensuring all instances update when you edit the source.

Copy merged content

The Copy Merged command creates a flattened copy of all visible layers within the selected area.

Copy Merged respects layer visibility—only visible layers contribute to the merged result. Hidden layers are excluded even if selected.

Work with path-specific behaviors

When copying layers that contain vector paths, including shape layers and vector masks, the copy-and-paste behavior depends on whether paths are selected on the canvas.

Copying shape layers and vector masks

When no paths are selected on the canvas:

• Copying a shape layer or a layer with a vector mask copies the entire layer to the clipboard
• Pasting creates a duplicate layer with all masks, effects, and path data intact

When paths are selected on canvas:

• Copying a shape layer with selected paths copies only the path data to the clipboard
• Pasting path data behavior depends on the destination layer type (see below)

Pasting path data

The paste behavior for path data varies based on the selected layer type:

• Into a bitmap layer (no paths): Creates a new vector mask from the pasted path data
• Into a shape layer with no paths selected: Replaces the existing shape with the pasted path
• Into a shape layer with paths selected: Combines the pasted path with existing paths in the shape layer
• Into a layer with a vector mask (mask not selected): Replaces the vector mask path with the pasted data
• Into a layer with a vector mask (mask selected): Combines the pasted path with the existing vector mask path