Skip to main content
S
StarAG​
Known Participant
January 16, 2024
Answered

Rename all layers except Background Layer

  • January 16, 2024
  • 2 replies
  • 1226 views

I have imported 3 images in a PS document and I want to change name of all layers (except the bottom background layer) to say "Parrot"

So this can be like:

Parrot

Parrot

Parrot

 

OR

 

Parrot-01

Parrot-02

Parrot-03

 

3 images are for reference so this can be any N number of images.

Can someone help please?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Stephen Marsh

    No, that is all required.

    If skipping works, it is fine.

     

    The bottom layer is the one which needs not to be changed.

    It is already named as Background and needs to remain with the same name.


    The following adds the digit for 3 or more layers, but no zero padding:

     

    #target photoshop

function main() {
    for (var i = 0; i < activeDocument.layers.length; i++) {
        if (activeDocument.layers.length == 2) {
            activeDocument.layers[0].name = "Parrot";
        } else if (activeDocument.layers.length > 2 && activeDocument.layers[i].name != "Background" && activeDocument.layers[i] != activeDocument.layers[app.activeDocument.layers.length - 1]) {
            activeDocument.layers[i].name = "Parrot-" + (i + 1);
        }
    }
}

activeDocument.suspendHistory("Undo Rename Layers Script...", "main()");

     

    This version adds zero padding:

     

    #target photoshop

function main() {

    var zeroPadLength = 2;
    var startNumber = 1;

    for (var i = 0; i < activeDocument.layers.length; i++) {
        if (activeDocument.layers.length == 2) {
            activeDocument.layers[0].name = "Parrot";
        } else if (activeDocument.layers.length > 2 && activeDocument.layers[i].name != "Background" && activeDocument.layers[i] != activeDocument.layers[app.activeDocument.layers.length - 1]) {
            activeDocument.layers[i].name = "Parrot-" + zeroPad(startNumber, zeroPadLength);
            startNumber++
        }

        function zeroPad(num, digit) {
            var tmp = num.toString();
            while (tmp.length < digit) {
                tmp = "0" + tmp;
            }
            return tmp;
        }
    }
}

activeDocument.suspendHistory("Undo Rename Layers Script...", "main()");

     

    2 replies

    PedroMacro
    PedroMacro
    Participating Frequently
    January 16, 2024

    This script will work fine, it renames the bottom layer to background, then rename all other layers in a decrescent order from top to bottom.

    // Function to rename all layers
function renameLayers() {
  var doc = app.activeDocument;
  var layers = doc.layers;
  var totalLayers = layers.length;
  
  // Rename the bottom layer to "Background"
  var bottomLayer = layers[totalLayers - 1];
  bottomLayer.name = "Background";
  
  // Rename the remaining layers
  for (var i = 0; i < totalLayers - 1; i++) {
    var layer = layers[i];
    var newName = "Parrot " + (i + 1);
    layer.name = newName;
  }
}

// Execute the function
app.activeDocument.suspendHistory("Rename Layers", "renameLayers();");
    PedroMacro
    PedroMacro
    Participating Frequently
    January 16, 2024

    I meant to say ascending order.

    c.pfaffenbichler
    Community Expert
    c.pfaffenbichlerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 16, 2024

    https://github.com/joonaspaakko/Photoshop-Rename-Layers-Script/blob/master/Rename%20Layers.jsx

    Stephen Marsh
    Community Expert
    Stephen MarshCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 16, 2024

    @c.pfaffenbichler – good find! That's a very versatile script!

     

    @StarAG​ – It's always a good idea to have unique layer names.

     

    This script will conditionally skip over a true Background layer (which is a special type of layer, not just a layer named Background):

     

    #target photoshop
for (var i = 0; i < activeDocument.layers.length; i++) {
    if (activeDocument.layers[i].isBackgroundLayer === false) {
        activeDocument.layers[i].name = "Parrot-" + (i + 1);
    }
}

     

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

      Stephen Marsh
      Community Expert
      Stephen MarshCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      January 17, 2024

      No, that is all required.

      If skipping works, it is fine.

       

      The bottom layer is the one which needs not to be changed.

      It is already named as Background and needs to remain with the same name.


      The following adds the digit for 3 or more layers, but no zero padding:

       

      #target photoshop

function main() {
    for (var i = 0; i < activeDocument.layers.length; i++) {
        if (activeDocument.layers.length == 2) {
            activeDocument.layers[0].name = "Parrot";
        } else if (activeDocument.layers.length > 2 && activeDocument.layers[i].name != "Background" && activeDocument.layers[i] != activeDocument.layers[app.activeDocument.layers.length - 1]) {
            activeDocument.layers[i].name = "Parrot-" + (i + 1);
        }
    }
}

activeDocument.suspendHistory("Undo Rename Layers Script...", "main()");

       

      This version adds zero padding:

       

      #target photoshop

function main() {

    var zeroPadLength = 2;
    var startNumber = 1;

    for (var i = 0; i < activeDocument.layers.length; i++) {
        if (activeDocument.layers.length == 2) {
            activeDocument.layers[0].name = "Parrot";
        } else if (activeDocument.layers.length > 2 && activeDocument.layers[i].name != "Background" && activeDocument.layers[i] != activeDocument.layers[app.activeDocument.layers.length - 1]) {
            activeDocument.layers[i].name = "Parrot-" + zeroPad(startNumber, zeroPadLength);
            startNumber++
        }

        function zeroPad(num, digit) {
            var tmp = num.toString();
            while (tmp.length < digit) {
                tmp = "0" + tmp;
            }
            return tmp;
        }
    }
}

activeDocument.suspendHistory("Undo Rename Layers Script...", "main()");

       

        Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
        Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices