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kd360
Inspiring
February 3, 2025
Question

Can't duplicate layer to another psd

  • February 3, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 285 views

Here is what I am trying to do (Using Photoshop 26.3.0 on a Mac running Sonoma 14.6.1):

 

1. I have 2 PSDs open

2. I select a layer group in 1 PSD and then select Duplicate Layers in the Layers Palette.

3. In the Duplicate Layers modal I click on the Document Dropdown.

4. I do not see the other document listed as a destination. This works sometimes and other times it does not. It is very frustrating as the only ways to fix the issue are to manually drag the layer group to the other document or restart Photoshop. This second option does not always work. 

 

What are possible causes?

3 replies

c.pfaffenbichler
Community Expert
c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 4, 2025

Could you please post screenshots with the pertinent Panels (Toolbar, Layers, Options Bar, …) and the dialog visible? 

 

As @Stephen Marsh indicated certain Color Modes cannot support Layers, so that seems like a possible reason. 

Stephen Marsh
Community Expert
Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 4, 2025

I just tested in v2024 and I couldn't break it, different common contone colour modes*, different bit depths, different source and target pixel sizes, all allowed me to dupe a layer/group to another target document...

 

* Not bitmap, multichannel or indexed colour, which is expected.

    Semaphoric
    Community Expert
    SemaphoricCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 4, 2025

    Check to see if the documents have the same pixel dimensions. This sounds very similar to loading selections from another document, which has that restriction.

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