How to select a single element or layer in Photoshop CS6

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Solution 1

To select the layer that belongs to an element from the document window:

  • Windows: CtrlAlt and right click
  • OS X: Hold and right click

If you hold Shift, it will select multiple layers. This works from almost all tools.


If Auto-Select is disabled, you can also drag to select multiple layers. First, M to select the move tool, then:

  • Windows: Hold Ctrl and drag across the document
  • OS X: Hold and drag across the document

Finally, you can also always right-click inside the document to select a layer:

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Solution 2

With the Move tool selected, just click on the "Auto-Select" on top.

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Samuel Bolduc
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Samuel Bolduc

Updated on September 18, 2022

Comments

  • Samuel Bolduc
    Samuel Bolduc almost 2 years

    I just moved to Photoshop CS6 at work, and I can't find how to select an element by clicking it. In CS5 I just Alt-clicked and it selected the element in the layers list.

    Is this feature still available? If yes, how do I use it?

  • Samuel Bolduc
    Samuel Bolduc about 11 years
    Sorry, just saw your reply, it's exactly what I was looking for, than you!