Keyboard shortcuts for the Layers panel

This list includes the most helpful shortcuts. You'll find additional shortcuts in menu commands and tool tips.

Result

Windows

Mac OS

Set layer options

Alt-click New button

Option-click New button

Delete without confirmation

Alt-click Trash button

Option-click Trash button

Apply value and keep text box active

Shift + Enter

Shift + Enter

Load layer transparency as a selection

Control-click layer thumbnail

Command-click layer thumbnail

Add to current selection

Control + Shift-click layer

Command + Shift-click layer thumbnail

Subtract from current selection

Control + Alt-click layer thumbnail

Command + Option-click layer thumbnail

Intersect with current selection

Control + Shift + Alt-click layer thumbnail

Command + Shift + Option-click layer thumbnail

Merge visible layers

Control + Shift + E

Command + Shift + E

Create new empty layer with dialog

Alt-click New Layer button

Option-click New Layer button

Create new layer below target layer

Control-click New Layer button

Command-click New Layer button

Activate bottom/top layer

Alt + .(period)/ ,(comma)

Option + .(period)/ ,(comma)

Select next layer down/up

Alt + [ or ]

Option + [ or ]

Move target layer down/up

Control + [ or ]

Command + [ or ]

Merge a copy of all visible layers into target layer

Control + Shift + Alt + E

Command + Shift + Option + E

Merge down

Control + E

Command + E

Copy current layer to layer below

Alt + Merge Down command from the panel pop-up menu

Option + Merge Down command from the panel pop-up menu

Copy all visible layers to active layer

Alt + Merge Visible command from the panel pop-up menu

Option + Merge Visible command from the panel pop-up menu

Show/hide all other currently visible layers

Alt-click the eye icon

Option-click the eye icon

Toggle lock transparency for target layer, or last applied lock

/ (forward slash)

/ (forward slash)

Select all text; temporarily select Type tool

Double-click text layer thumbnail

Double-click text layer thumbnail

Create a clipping mask

Alt-click the line dividing two layers

Option-click the line dividing two layers

Rename layer

Double-click the layer name

Double-click the layer name

Add to layer selection in Layers panel

Shift + Alt + [ or ]

Shift + Option + [ or]

Copy the mask from one layer to another, and ask to replace if the mask is already present   Alt + drag layer mask Alt + drag layer mask