Filter the Layers panel by Smart Objects

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to easily identify Smart Objects in Adobe Photoshop, whether they’re linked, embedded, missing, or out of sync, without digging through every layer.

Filtering keeps things simple, helping you focus and remove clutter in the Layers panel. It uses unique icons, making it easy to identify the type of Smart Object used in each layer.

In the Layers panel, select Smart Object from the filtering dropdown menu.

Layers panel with Smart Object filter activated, displaying icons for linked, embedded, missing, and out-of-date objects.
Spot different Smart Object types with visual cues.

Select one of the following filter icons:

  • Filter for smart objects linked in library: Shows Smart Objects linked from Creative Cloud Libraries.
  • Filter for smart objects linked locally : Shows Smart Objects linked to files stored on your computer.
  • Filter for linked smart objects that are out of date : Shows Smart Objects that are not in sync with their source files.
  • Filter for linked smart objects that are missing : Shows Smart Objects whose source files can’t be found.
  • Filter for embedded smart objects: Shows Smart Objects stored inside the Photoshop document.

Use Turn layer filtering on or off to turn filtering on or off.