Script for selecting the above layer with the current one

[Johnnyenv]

Hello,

I require a script that will select the above layer/group with the currently selected one so I can merge them both. I can't use merge all because there are other steps in the process that are isolating other layers. It has to be specfic to selecting the imedidate above layer/group only. 

[c.pfaffenbichler]

Why don’t you use the default keyboard shortcut? 

The index would seem to offer a fairly convenient way to determine the Layer above the currently selected one. 

How far have you gotten with the Script yet? 

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

@Johnnyenv as @c.pfaffenbichler mentions, using keyboard shortcuts work in most situations... Layer visibility and having an expanded layer group directly above the active layer may cause issues.

OPT + ] and then CMD + E

ALT + ] and then CTRL + E

or

OPT + SHIFT + ] and then CMD + E

ALT + SHIFT + ] and then CTRL + E

Would both lead to the same result and can also be recorded into an action or into ScriptListener code.

[Bojan Živković]

Here is tricky part "It has to be specfic to selecting the imedidate above layer/group only. " 

Test with above group expanded.

[Stephen_A_Marsh]

---

@Bojan Živković wrote:

Here is tricky part "It has to be specfic to selecting the imedidate above layer/group only. " 

Test with above group expanded.

---

Exactly Bojan, this is why I wrote:

"Layer visibility and having an expanded layer group directly above the active layer may cause issues."

It could be as simple as adding a "Collapse All Groups" command if it is OK to close all expanded sets... However, if wishing to only collapse/expand one group:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/photoshop-ecosystem-discussions/action-or-script-to-expand-unfold-lay...

[c.pfaffenbichler]

// add the next layer above to the selected;
// 2022, use it at your own risk;
if (app.documents.length > 0) {
    var ref = new ActionReference();
	ref.putEnumerated( charIDToTypeID("Dcmn"), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt") );
	var desc = executeActionGet(ref);
	if (desc.getBoolean(stringIDToTypeID("hasBackgroundLayer")) == true) {var theAdd = -1}
    else {var theAdd = 0};
// get the active layer’s index;
    theIndex = getLayerIndex() + theAdd;
    var theCheck = false;
    while (theCheck == false) {
        theIndex++;
        var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIndex( charIDToTypeID( "Lyr " ), theIndex);
        var layerDesc = executeActionGet(ref);
        var layerSet = typeIDToStringID(layerDesc.getEnumerationValue(stringIDToTypeID("layerSection")));
        var theName = layerDesc.getString(stringIDToTypeID('name'));
// if not group end collect values;
        if (layerSet != "layerSectionEnd") {
            theCheck = true
        };
    };
    selectLayerByIndex(theIndex--,true)
};
////// by mike hale, via paul riggott //////
function getLayerIndex(){
    var ref = new ActionReference(); 
    ref.putEnumerated(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), charIDToTypeID("Ordn"), charIDToTypeID("Trgt")); 
    d = executeActionGet(ref); 
    return d.getInteger(stringIDToTypeID('itemIndex')); 
    };
////// by mike hale, via paul riggott //////
function selectLayerByIndex(index,add){ 
    add = undefined ? add = false:add 
    var ref = new ActionReference();
        ref.putIndex(charIDToTypeID("Lyr "), index);
        var desc = new ActionDescriptor();
        desc.putReference(charIDToTypeID("null"), ref );
           if(add) desc.putEnumerated( stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifier" ), stringIDToTypeID( "selectionModifierType" ), stringIDToTypeID( "addToSelection" ) ); 
          desc.putBoolean( charIDToTypeID( "MkVs" ), false ); 
       try{
        executeAction(charIDToTypeID("slct"), desc, DialogModes.NO );
    }catch(e){
    alert(e.message); 
    }
    };