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b5437713
Participant
September 6, 2021
Answered

Export Layers to File Error - The command delete is not available (PS 22.5)

  • September 6, 2021
  • 7 replies
  • 7023 views

As stated in the title I'm having issues using the Export Layer to File function in PS. I've tired closing and reopen the program, closing the program and restart my computer, downgardaing to lower versions of PS and finally streight up uninstall PS and CC desktop completely from computer and reinstalling. Nothing has worked and I've pretty much wasted one of my few free days troubleshooting rather then doing what I wanted to do. I am very fustrated as I have never had this problem before in all the months I've been using PS. I have made no special update on my computer I can think of that would trigger such an odd error and online search for answers have yeild nothing. Help?

 

I'm on Windows 10.

    Correct answer b5437713

    I did try resetting the preferences but that didn't work.

     

    What did work was setting PS to run only from my dedicated graphic cards via the graphic cards own setting (not through PS). It was the one thing I hadn't thought of trying in my fustration and desperation. In short, I was able to resolve the issue (hopefully permanently) on my own in the end.

     

    Feel free to close out this topic.

    7 replies

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    July 5, 2024

    The Export Layers to Files script uses ExtendScript code and really needs to be a native feature, or at least rewritten in UXP script code.

     

    Adobe has added the ability to save layers using Export As, however, that only offers limited web formats.

     

    There are many alternatives 3rd party layer saving scripts that can be used:

     

    https://github.com/antipalindrome/Photoshop-Export-Layers-to-Files-Fast


    https://github.com/Paul-Riggott/PS-Scripts/blob/master/Layer%20Saver.jsx

     

    https://github.com/Paul-Riggott/PS-Scripts/blob/master/Layer%20Saver%20Plus.jsx


    https://github.com/mechanicious/photoshopCompositionComposer


    https://www.marspremedia.com/software/photoshop/save-layers

     

      Y
      yan.valerie
      Participant
      June 17, 2022

      i found the solution when i faced the same problem. For me i faced this problem when i had layers being locked. i have the layers in groups as well. after unlocking the layers and still maintaining the grouped layers, Export > Layer to File function worked well for me.

        Kukurykus
        Kukurykus
        Legend
        February 1, 2022

        Export layers to files stopped working after last update

        revolution52
        revolution52
        Participant
        February 1, 2022

        Hi, if you are getting this error, check that the layers you are trying to export are not inside a Group. The script will fail when it tries to delete the Group Folder. To avoid this, keep your layers at the top level (without grouping) and that will solve the issue. 

          J
          justins78233925
          Participant
          July 5, 2024

          I'm sorry but that's incredibly stupid. People use groups to organize things all the time. Exporting layers that are inside groups should be incredibly basic functionality, there's no reason it shouldn't work. Adobe should fix this. We shouldn't have to ungroup everything to get basic functionality like exporting to work, especially not in an industry-standard program

            T
            Tony32270424w5rs
            Participant
            February 12, 2025

            It's crazy that in 2025 this is still a problem. Adobe needs to get it together.

              B
              b5437713AuthorCorrect answer
              Participant
              September 17, 2021

              I did try resetting the preferences but that didn't work.

               

              What did work was setting PS to run only from my dedicated graphic cards via the graphic cards own setting (not through PS). It was the one thing I hadn't thought of trying in my fustration and desperation. In short, I was able to resolve the issue (hopefully permanently) on my own in the end.

               

              Feel free to close out this topic.

                Stephen Marsh
                Community Expert
                Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
                Community Expert
                September 16, 2021

                You didn't mention resetting preferences?

                 

                Preferences

                  S_Gans
                  Community Expert
                  S_GansCommunity Expert
                  Community Expert
                  September 16, 2021

                  Hi. Please give us more specifics on this. Can you screenshot what things look like, when you try to use Export Layer to File? Is it grayed out? Is it giving you an error? I'm afraid it's really hard to try to troubleshoot, with just the info above. 

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