Problem: All of a sudden, every time you click on a layer with the Move tool, it jumps to that layer. Solution: Somehow you turned on a feature called Auto Select Layer, which lets you make a layer active by just clicking on it with the Move tool. To turn this feature off, press V to get the Move tool, and up in the Options Bar, turn off the checkbox for Auto Select Layer. Besides, you never really need to turn this feature on, because you can just hold the Command key (PC: Control key) and click on any layer in your image window.
Move Tool keeps auto selecting layers in Photoshop
New Here ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/td-p/11775146 Jan 22, 2021 Jan 22, 2021
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On Photoshop I have three different layers right now. I selected part of my drawing on the third layer and tried to adjust it with the move tool, but it keeps changing to my first layer! How do I only move the things in the layer I want without it switching the another layer?
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1 Correct answer
Adobe Employee , Jan 22, 2021 Jan 22, 2021
Hi there,
Welcome to the community!
As the Move tool keeps selecting the first layer. This usually happens when the "Auto Select" feature is active.
You can turn it off by unchecking the box near Auto Select on the top options bar.
Let us know how it goes.
Regards,
Sahil
7 Replies 7
Adobe Employee ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/m-p/11775161#M506489 Jan 22, 2021 Jan 22, 2021
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Hi there,
Welcome to the community!
As the Move tool keeps selecting the first layer. This usually happens when the "Auto Select" feature is active.
You can turn it off by unchecking the box near Auto Select on the top options bar.
Let us know how it goes.
Regards,
Sahil
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Explorer ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/m-p/12007935#M536565 May 01, 2021 May 01, 2021
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In Response To Sahil.Chawla
Thank you, Sahil, for your answer, BUT I cannot find the 'auto select' option on my toolbar. Do you know why?
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Community Expert ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/m-p/12007970#M536579 May 01, 2021 May 01, 2021
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In Response To Noyster2
Not sure why yours is an icon, but look in the same place as where @Sahil.Chawla pointed and try clicking your icon that's there.
— Adobe Certified Expert & Instructor at Noble Desktop | Web Developer, Designer, InDesign Scriptor
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Community Expert ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/m-p/12007981#M536581 May 01, 2021 May 01, 2021
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In Response To Noyster2
»BUT I cannot find the 'auto select' option on my toolbar.«
Why did you set
Photoshop > Preferences > Forkspace > Enable Narrow Options Bar
?
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Explorer ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/m-p/12007987#M536583 May 01, 2021 May 01, 2021
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In Response To c.pfaffenbichler
Not sure how that got selected, but deselecting it showed my 'auto select' checkbox. THANK YOU!
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New Here ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/m-p/12910635#M640074 Apr 28, 2022 Apr 28, 2022
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In Response To Sahil.Chawla
Thank you so much. I thought I'll go crazy.
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Community Beginner ,
/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/move-tool-keeps-auto-selecting-layers-in-photoshop/m-p/13139798#M665163 Aug 16, 2022 Aug 16, 2022
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LATEST
Hi- Please help. Not sure what this is but it is not good that i cannot switch off auto selct. Only allow layers and groups, it is an INSANE update. Please advise how to switch this off as i no longer have an option to switch off. Thanks
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