how to copy multiple layer names

Question

how to copy multiple layer names at once.

I have multiple layers and groups. I need to copy all layer names and group names at once and want to paste it into another place like a notepad or Excel

Kindly suggest a solution

Stephen Marsh · Accepted Answer

There are many scripts for this if you search the forum. Is this only for top-level layers/layer groups? Or do you also have groups and require the content of those groups as well?

Stephen Marsh · Answer

I have created a new script, combining the layer name to text file features from my earlier script, with various features from my "Active Layer Inspector" script.

/*
Layer List CSV File Creator scriptUI GUI v1-0.jsx
v1.0 - 9th April 2025
v1.1 - 2nd May 2025, Updated to force ruler units to pixels
Stephen Marsh
https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/how-to-copy-multiple-layer-names/m-p/13118781#U15263262
*/

#target photoshop;

// Save the original ruler units to restore later
var originalRulerUnits = app.preferences.rulerUnits;

// Set the ruler units to pixels
app.preferences.rulerUnits = Units.PIXELS;

// Check if there are open documents
if (app.documents.length === 0) {
    alert('Please open a document before running this script!');
    // Restore original ruler units
    app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;
    exit();
}

// Get the active document name sans extension
var docName = app.activeDocument.name.replace(/\.[^\.]+$/, '');

// Create the main window
var dlg = new Window('dialog', 'Layer List CSV File Creator (v1.1)');
dlg.orientation = 'column';
dlg.alignChildren = 'fill';
dlg.preferredSize.width = 470;

// Panel/Group for file selection
var filePanel = dlg.add('panel', undefined, 'Save Location:');
filePanel.orientation = 'row';
filePanel.alignChildren = 'fill';

var browseButton = filePanel.add('button', undefined, 'Browse...');
// edittext or statictext for file path
var filePath = filePanel.add('edittext', undefined, '~/Desktop/' + docName + '.csv', { truncate: 'middle' });
filePath.characters = 30;
browseButton.onClick = function () {
    var defaultFileName = docName + '.csv';
    // Create a File object with the default path and filename
    var defaultFile = new File("~/Desktop/" + defaultFileName);
    var file = defaultFile.saveDlg('Save CSV File As...', '*.csv');
    if (file) filePath.text = file.fsName;
};

// Panel/Group for layer properties selection
var layerPropertiesPanel = dlg.add('panel', undefined, 'Select Layer Properties to Include:');
layerPropertiesPanel.orientation = 'column';
layerPropertiesPanel.alignChildren = 'left';

// Create layer properties selection checkboxes
var layerNameCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Layer Name');
var visibilityCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Visibility');
var typeCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Type');
var layerKindCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Kind (DOM)');
var layerKindAMCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Kind (AM)');
var opacityCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Opacity');
var blendModeCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Blend Mode');
var maskCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Mask');
var layerIdCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Layer ID');
var parentCB = layerPropertiesPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Parent');

// Create position & dimension checkboxes in a sub-panel
var dimensionPanel = layerPropertiesPanel.add('panel', undefined, 'Position & Dimensions:');
dimensionPanel.orientation = 'column';
dimensionPanel.alignChildren = 'left';

var upperLeftXCB = dimensionPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Upper Left X');
var upperLeftYCB = dimensionPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Upper Left Y');
var widthCB = dimensionPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Width');
var heightCB = dimensionPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Height');

// Panel/Group for exclusion options
var exclusionPanel = dlg.add('panel', undefined, 'Layer Exclusion Options:');
exclusionPanel.orientation = 'column';
exclusionPanel.alignChildren = 'left';

var excludeInvisibleCB = exclusionPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Exclude Invisible Layers');
excludeInvisibleCB.value = false; // Default state

// Event handler to disable visibility checkbox when exclude invisible is checked
excludeInvisibleCB.onClick = function () {
    visibilityCB.enabled = !excludeInvisibleCB.value;
    // If the checkbox is being disabled, also uncheck it
    if (!visibilityCB.enabled) {
        visibilityCB.value = false;
    } else {
        // If we're enabling the visibility checkbox, also check it
        visibilityCB.value = true;
    }
};

// Checkbox for excluding adjustment layers
var excludeAdjustmentCB = exclusionPanel.add('checkbox', undefined, 'Exclude Adjustment Layers');
excludeAdjustmentCB.value = false; // Default state

// Check all checkboxes by default
layerNameCB.value = true;
visibilityCB.value = true;
typeCB.value = true;
layerKindCB.value = true;
layerKindAMCB.value = true; // New checkbox default
opacityCB.value = true;
blendModeCB.value = true;
maskCB.value = true;
layerIdCB.value = true;
parentCB.value = true;
upperLeftXCB.value = true;
upperLeftYCB.value = true;
widthCB.value = true;
heightCB.value = true;

// Button to select/deselect all columns
var selectAllGroup = layerPropertiesPanel.add('group');
selectAllGroup.orientation = 'row';
var selectAllButton = selectAllGroup.add('button', undefined, 'Select All');
var deselectAllButton = selectAllGroup.add('button', undefined, 'Deselect All');

selectAllButton.onClick = function () {
    layerNameCB.value = true;
    if (visibilityCB.enabled) {
        visibilityCB.value = true;
    }
    typeCB.value = true;
    layerKindCB.value = true;
    layerKindAMCB.value = true; // Added
    opacityCB.value = true;
    blendModeCB.value = true;
    maskCB.value = true;
    layerIdCB.value = true;
    parentCB.value = true;
    upperLeftXCB.value = true;
    upperLeftYCB.value = true;
    widthCB.value = true;
    heightCB.value = true;
};

deselectAllButton.onClick = function () {
    layerNameCB.value = false;
    visibilityCB.value = false;
    typeCB.value = false;
    layerKindCB.value = false;
    layerKindAMCB.value = false; // Added
    opacityCB.value = false;
    blendModeCB.value = false;
    maskCB.value = false;
    layerIdCB.value = false;
    parentCB.value = false;
    upperLeftXCB.value = false;
    upperLeftYCB.value = false;
    widthCB.value = false;
    heightCB.value = false;
};

// cancel and OK buttons
var buttonGroup = dlg.add('group');
buttonGroup.orientation = 'row';
buttonGroup.alignment = 'right';
var cancelButton = buttonGroup.add('button', undefined, 'Cancel');
var okButton = buttonGroup.add('button', undefined, 'OK');

okButton.onClick = function () {
    if (!documents.length) {
        alert('There are no documents open!');
    } else {
        var csvFile = new File(filePath.text);
        if (csvFile.exists) csvFile.remove();

        // Create array of selected columns
        var columns = [];
        var columnProperties = [];

        if (layerNameCB.value) {
            columns.push("Layer Name");
            columnProperties.push("layerName");
        }
        if (visibilityCB.value) {
            columns.push("Visibility");
            columnProperties.push("visibility");
        }
        if (typeCB.value) {
            columns.push("Type");
            columnProperties.push("type");
        }
        if (layerKindCB.value) {
            columns.push("Kind (DOM)");
            columnProperties.push("layerKind");
        }
        if (layerKindAMCB.value) {
            columns.push("Kind (AM)");
            columnProperties.push("layerKindAM");
        }
        if (opacityCB.value) {
            columns.push("Opacity");
            columnProperties.push("opacity");
        }
        if (blendModeCB.value) {
            columns.push("Blend Mode");
            columnProperties.push("blendMode");
        }
        if (maskCB.value) {
            columns.push("Mask");
            columnProperties.push("hasMask");
        }
        if (layerIdCB.value) {
            columns.push("Layer ID");
            columnProperties.push("layerId");
        }
        if (parentCB.value) {
            columns.push("Parent");
            columnProperties.push("parent");
        }
        if (upperLeftXCB.value) {
            columns.push("Upper Left X");
            columnProperties.push("upperLeftX");
        }
        if (upperLeftYCB.value) {
            columns.push("Upper Left Y");
            columnProperties.push("upperLeftY");
        }
        if (widthCB.value) {
            columns.push("Width");
            columnProperties.push("width");
        }
        if (heightCB.value) {
            columns.push("Height");
            columnProperties.push("height");
        }

        // At least one column must be selected
        if (columns.length === 0) {
            alert('Please select at least one column to include in the CSV file.');
            return;
        }

        csvFile.open("w");
        csvFile.encoding = "UTF-8";
        csvFile.lineFeed = "Unix";
        csvFile.writeln(columns.join(","));
        csvFile.close();

        processAllLayersAndSets(app.activeDocument, 0, csvFile, columnProperties, excludeInvisibleCB.value, excludeAdjustmentCB.value, null);
        alert('CSV file created successfully!');
    }
    dlg.close();
};

cancelButton.onClick = function () {
    dlg.close();
};

dlg.show();
dlg.center();

// Restore original ruler units
app.preferences.rulerUnits = originalRulerUnits;

function processAllLayersAndSets(obj, depth, csvFile, columnProperties, excludeInvisible, excludeAdjustment, parentName) {
    for (var i = 0; i < obj.layers.length; i++) {
        var currentLayer = obj.layers[i];

        if (excludeInvisible && !currentLayer.visible) {
            continue;
        }

        var isAdjustment = isAdjustmentLayer(currentLayer);
        if (excludeAdjustment && isAdjustment) {
            continue;
        }

        var indentation = new Array(depth + 1).join("  ");
        var layerName = indentation + currentLayer.name;
        var visibility = currentLayer.visible;
        var type = currentLayer.typename;
        var layerKind = getLayerKind(currentLayer);
        var layerKindAM = getLayerKindAM(currentLayer);
        var opacity = Math.round(currentLayer.opacity);
        var blendMode = currentLayer.blendMode;
        var hasMask = hasLayerMask(currentLayer);
        var layerId = currentLayer.id;
        var parent = parentName;
        var upperLeftX = "";
        var upperLeftY = "";
        var width = "";
        var height = "";

        // For groups & adjustment layers, leave width and height empty
        // For other layers, calculate their dimensions
        if (type !== "LayerSet" && !isAdjustment) {
            if (currentLayer.isBackgroundLayer) {
                upperLeftX = 0;
                upperLeftY = 0;
                var bounds = currentLayer.bounds;
                width = parseInt(bounds[2] - bounds[0]);
                height = parseInt(bounds[3] - bounds[1]);
            } else {
                var bounds = currentLayer.bounds;
                upperLeftX = parseInt(bounds[0]);
                upperLeftY = parseInt(bounds[1]);
                width = parseInt(bounds[2] - bounds[0]);
                height = parseInt(bounds[3] - bounds[1]);
                if (upperLeftX === 0) upperLeftX = "";
                if (upperLeftY === 0) upperLeftY = "";
                if (width === 0) width = "";
                if (height === 0) height = "";
            }
        }

        // Create row with only selected columns
        var rowData = [];
        for (var j = 0; j < columnProperties.length; j++) {
            var prop = columnProperties[j];
            rowData.push(eval(prop));
        }

        csvFile.open("a");
        csvFile.encoding = "UTF-8";
        csvFile.lineFeed = "Unix";
        csvFile.writeln(rowData.join(","));
        csvFile.close();

        if (currentLayer.typename === "LayerSet") {
            processAllLayersAndSets(currentLayer, depth + 1, csvFile, columnProperties, excludeInvisible, excludeAdjustment, currentLayer.name);
        }
    }
}

function hasLayerMask(layer) {
    try {
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIdentifier(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), layer.id);
        var layerDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
        return layerDesc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID("userMaskEnabled")) &&
            layerDesc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID("userMaskEnabled"));
    } catch (e) {
        return false;
    }
}

function isAdjustmentLayer(layer) {
    try {
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIdentifier(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), layer.id);
        var layerDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
        if (layerDesc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID("layerKind"))) {
            var layerKind = layerDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("layerKind"));
            return layerKind === 2;
        }
        return false;
    } catch (e) {
        return false;
    }
}

function getLayerKind(layer) {
    try {
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIdentifier(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), layer.id);
        var layerDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
        if (layerDesc.hasKey(stringIDToTypeID("layerKind"))) {
            var kindValue = layerDesc.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID("layerKind"));

            // First, handle non-adjustment layers via AM code, map the kindValue to the appropriate string
            var kindString = "";
            switch (kindValue) {
                case 0: kindString = "LayerKind.UNDEFINED"; break; // No mapping in DOM
                case 1: kindString = "LayerKind.NORMAL"; break; // Pixel layer
                case 3: kindString = "LayerKind.TEXT"; break; // Text layer
                case 4: kindString = "LayerKind.SHAPELAYER"; break; // Shape layer
                case 5: kindString = "LayerKind.SMARTOBJECT"; break; // Smart Object
                case 6: kindString = "LayerKind.VIDEO"; break; // Video layer
                case 7: kindString = "LayerKind.LAYERSECTION"; break; // Layer Group
                case 8: kindString = "LayerKind.LAYER3D"; break; // 3D layer
                case 9: kindString = "LayerKind.GRADIENTFILL"; break; // Gradient Fill
                case 10: kindString = "LayerKind.PATTERNFILL"; break; // Pattern Fill
                case 11: kindString = "LayerKind.SOLIDFILL"; break; // Solid Fill
                case 12: kindString = "LayerKind.BACKGROUND"; break; // Background layer
                case 13: kindString = "LayerKind.HIDDENSECTIONBOUNDER"; break; // Hidden Section Bounder
                case 14: kindString = "LayerKind.VECTOR"; break; // Vector layer
            }

            // If it's an adjustment layer (kindValue === 2), determine the specific type
            if (kindValue === 2) {
                var adjustmentDesc = layerDesc.getList(stringIDToTypeID("adjustment"));
                if (adjustmentDesc.count > 0) {
                    var adjustmentType = adjustmentDesc.getObjectType(0);
                    switch (adjustmentType) {
                        case stringIDToTypeID("levels"): kindString = "LayerKind.LEVELS (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("curves"): kindString = "LayerKind.CURVES (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("colorBalance"): kindString = "LayerKind.COLORBALANCE (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("brightnessContrast"): kindString = "LayerKind.BRIGHTNESSCONTRAST (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("hueSaturation"): kindString = "LayerKind.HUESATURATION (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("selectiveColor"): kindString = "LayerKind.SELECTIVECOLOR (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("channelMixer"): kindString = "LayerKind.CHANNELMIXER (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("gradientMapClass"): kindString = "LayerKind.GRADIENTMAP (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("invert"): kindString = "LayerKind.INVERSION (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("posterize"): kindString = "LayerKind.POSTERIZE (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("thresholdClassEvent"): kindString = "LayerKind.THRESHOLD (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("blackWhite"): kindString = "LayerKind.BLACKWHITE (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("vibrance"): kindString = "LayerKind.VIBRANCE (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("colorLookup"): kindString = "LayerKind.COLORLOOKUP (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("exposure"): kindString = "LayerKind.EXPOSURE (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("photoFilter"): kindString = "LayerKind.PHOTOFILTER (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        case stringIDToTypeID("blackAndWhite"): kindString = "LayerKind.BLACKANDWHITE (Adjustment Layer)"; break;
                        default: kindString = "Unknown Adjustment Layer (" + typeIDToStringID(adjustmentType) + ")";
                    }
                } else {
                    kindString = "Unknown Adjustment Layer";
                }
            }

            // Append "isBackground" if the layer is a background layer
            if (layer.isBackgroundLayer) {
                kindString += " isBackground";
            }

            return kindString;
        }
        return "LayerKind.UNKNOWN";
    } catch (e) {
        return "Error: " + e.message;
    }
}

function getLayerKindAM(layer) {
    try {
        // Get the layer kind using Action Manager
        var s2t = stringIDToTypeID;
        var r = new ActionReference();
        r.putProperty(s2t('property'), s2t('layerKind'));
        r.putIdentifier(s2t('layer'), layer.id); // Use layer ID instead of targetEnum
        var layerKind = executeActionGet(r).getInteger(s2t('layerKind'));

        // Map the layer kind to the appropriate string
        var kindStringAM = "";
        if (layerKind === 0) {
            kindStringAM = "kAnySheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 1) {
            kindStringAM = "kPixelSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 2) {
            // For adjustment layers, get the specific adjustment type
            var rAdj = new ActionReference();
            rAdj.putProperty(s2t('property'), s2t('adjustment'));
            rAdj.putIdentifier(s2t('layer'), layer.id);
            var adjustmentList = executeActionGet(rAdj).getList(s2t('adjustment'));
            if (adjustmentList.count > 0) {
                var adjustmentType = typeIDToStringID(adjustmentList.getObjectType(0));
                kindStringAM = "kAdjustmentSheet (" + adjustmentType + ")";
            } else {
                kindStringAM = "kAdjustmentSheet (Unknown)";
            }
        } else if (layerKind === 3) {
            kindStringAM = "kTextSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 4) {
            kindStringAM = "kVectorSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 5) {
            kindStringAM = "kSmartObjectSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 6) {
            kindStringAM = "kVideoSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 7) {
            kindStringAM = "kLayerGroupSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 😎 {
            kindStringAM = "k3DSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 9) {
            kindStringAM = "kGradientSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 10) {
            kindStringAM = "kPatternSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 11) {
            kindStringAM = "kSolidColorSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 12) {
            kindStringAM = "kBackgroundSheet";
        } else if (layerKind === 13) {
            kindStringAM = "kHiddenSectionBounder";
        } else {
            kindStringAM = "Unknown AM Kind (" + layerKind + ")";
        }

        // Append "isBackground" if the layer is a background layer
        if (layer.isBackgroundLayer) {
            kindStringAM += " (isBackground = true)";
        }

        return kindStringAM;
    } catch (e) {
        return "Error: " + e.message;
    }
}

Copy the code text to the clipboard
Open a new blank file in a plain-text editor (not in a word processor)
Paste the code in
Save as a plain text format file – .txt
Rename the saved file extension from .txt to .jsx
Install or browse to the .jsx file to run (see below)

https://prepression.blogspot.com/2017/11/downloading-and-installing-adobe-scripts.html

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