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Answered

Fixed: Dragging layers between files is not working in Photoshop

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
July 21, 2020
31 replies
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Drag and drop of layers between files is not working.

I'm dragging a layer from an RGB file to a CMYK one and it's not working.

It used to be in past versions.

I'm on the latest version:

Adobe Photoshop Version: 21.2.1 20200716.r.265

Mac OS Catalina latest version: 10.15.6

Anyone knows how to fix?

{Moderator Note: Edited the thread title, PS-51596}

Thank you

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Akash Sharma

Hi there,

We are happy to announce the release of Photoshop 21.2.2 that should resolve this issue.

This update includes fixes to some of the top customer reported issues among other bug fixes. See Bug fixes and security updates

To update Photoshop to 21.2.2, click "Update" in the Creative Cloud desktop app next to Photoshop. See: More detailed instructions for updating

Let us know how it goes.

Thanks,

Akash

Show previous replies

A

AgaNagA

Known Participant

Same issue, can't drag a layer to another window after the new update. It only works if the window is not consolidated to a tab

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Windows10Home64-bit/IntelCorei7-4810MQ CPU@2.80GHz/16GBRAM/NvidiaGeForceGTX880M

Parksite Karl

Inspiring

I didnt see if this was mentioned, but a User named Mark Lee on the photoshop family site accidentally discovered a workaround and I can cofirm it worked for me on dragging layers from one document to the other. For some reason if you right and left click and drag the layer (or I assume group) to the other tab, it will switch to the new document to drop.

I would absolutely consider this a temporary workaround and hope Adobe doesnt consider this fixed.

Of course I am on a PC with a two button mouse, so...

P

pacepac

Participant

I got the same issue and just deinstalled the newest version and installed the former 21.2.0 and it worked again, immediately.

What were the new features, again? I hadn't missed anything, except that Photoshop should run stable and not steal my time.

brennangilbert

Participant

I am having a similar issue, but not exactly the same. I am trying to drag a group from one file into another (with a 2-up window arrangement, so I can see both documents simultaneously). The group appears in the layers panel inside the file I want it to, but it does not show up in the artboard itself (can't see it, and layer options like blending mode, opacity and fill are all disabled/unavailable). When I try to transform the group, the bounding box is visible but again, the group and everything within it are completely invisible. True for dragging individuals layers as well. Screen recording of this issue here: https://www.loom.com/share/f00767eacd1145f0aa864c5c181fdcd2

On top of that, tried a workaround of File > Place Linked... and another similar but not exact replication of the issue. The file appears as a linked layer in the layers panel, but is invisible on the artboard/canvas itself. Technically, it creates a blank white object, so in this case, is visible, but again, not dislaying the artwork, just blank white.

tinal74246293

Participant

You have the images tiled, but not separated. Pull one of the images off
the tab bar and then it should work. See below. I have my "Autums Leaves"
fle pulled away from the main tab bar.

I hope this helps!
[image: Screen Shot 2020-07-24 at 2.23.55 PM.png]

tinal74246293

Participant

I'm having the exact same issue. It seems to be a glitch in the new version of Photoshop 21.2.1 that was recently released. It worked flawlessly until the new update. Photoshop 2020 has been one of the buggiest releases in a long time. The update fixed several other issues while creating a host of new ones.The only workaround I can find is to separate the documents from the tab bar into side by side tiles, then the drag and drop feature works, just not when they're connected to the same tab bar. Very annoying as dragging and dropping layers is a large part of my workflow.

JJMack

Community Expert

Its not only on mac its an issue in the 21.2.1 update its been reported in this user forum several times and also reported to Adobe on their feedback site. I expect the Adobe will fix this issue some time in the future perhaps the next update.

JJMack

M

Manucr2014

Participant

Dragging Layers to others tabs documents fail in Photoshop version 21.2.1 I had to roll back .

Akash Sharma

Legend

Hi there,

Sorry that hear that you cannot drag layers between two documents in Photoshop 21.2.1

Does the problem occurs with all the documents you work with?
If you're using RGB in one document and CMYK in another, some adjustment layers won't transfer over.

Would you mind sharing a screenshot or a short video illustrating the problem so that we may try reproducing it at our end?

Thanks,

Akash

Parksite Karl

Inspiring

I am having the exact same issue. If the two files are in the same window, I cannot drag one layer to another document. I have been doing this for years so this is absolutely something that has arisen in yesterday's 21.2.1 release for me.

D

DanielleOser

Participant

It's not working for me either. If I undock the document I want to drag into it works, but not the way it has worked forever ... until now ...

FLSouthpaw

Participating Frequently

There have been wonky issues with the last few updates to photoshop. Dragging layers within the layers tab will sometimes show a ghost image of the layer being dragged further away from the actual mouse cursor (sometimes like 5 inches away) and you can't tell where it is going to go exactly... BUT now after the 21.2.1 update today I can't drag a layer from the layers tab to another open file. If I grab a layer and then drag it on top of the other file's title as ususal it never acknowledges the mouse is over the file and does not switch to the other document as it should. There is definately something really buggy with the layers tab... I can still however click and drag a layer from the actual main file window to another file and it works but is a pain to get the right layer sometimes or to move multiple layers at once. I have reset my preferences and that did nothing, also legacy compositing is turned off (last update Adobe turned it on which made other layer ghosting issues)... Windows 10 (2004), Newest Nvida driver... I am sure others must have the same issue...

C-Wave

Inspiring

Yes, as a long time Photoshop user, I am in agreement with you about the last two updates not being up to par. I have had very good luck with CC updates for some time now . . . until lately.

And, as you predicted, others also have the same issue with dragging layers after today's update. I am no longer able to drag a layer from the layer's palette of one document to the tab of another open document. Previously, a brief hover would change focus between tabs, allowing you to drop the layer onto a second document. Now, no long how long I hover over the recipient file's tab, it never draws focus so I can drop the new layer on it.

JJMack

Community Expert

If legacy compositing is checked in your PS Preferences remove the check mark.

JJMack

marliton

Community Expert

Hi. Have you checked if the layer is locked?

Marlon Ceballos

darthlobsterAuthor

Known Participant

Hello.

Yes, and it's unlocked.

In a previous post with screenshots, I've found out that:

If the files are consolidated in the tab, dragging doesn't work.

If the files are tiled side by side, it does work, just like JJMacks reply.

My post was erased or did not upload at all. I feel that the creative cloud is all over today, so I'll try again.

E

Erling S.

Participating Frequently

Something that I had found out while trying to find a work around for this is if instead of dragging by the layer itself, you select the layer and than drag from your image instead, you're able to get that layer into another tab. Super strange that works but dragging from the layer doesn't.

So if we wanted to bring layer 2 over to another doc, select that layer but mouse over the image and click and drag to the new tab. This was the only solution I've found aside from having them open side by side or copy pasting the layer.

That works for me as well, but not if you need to drag a folder between documents. However this works if the documents are floating separately and are not placed as tabs (consolidated as you call it).
It's an important feature to be able to drag a complete folder between tabs.

josephlavine

Community Expert

As other have mentioned, I too am unable to duplicate the issue. I suggest resetting your preferences, and if that doesn't work then I would uninstall and reinstall the application.

warmly/j