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Anonymous
August 22, 2013
Answered

How do I save a PNG file with an alpha channel in Photoshop CS5?

I have a PNG file created in Photoshop and I need to save it with an alpha channel for web purposes. I tried 'Save for Web & Devices' and selecting the Transparent box. Then, after saving, when I select 'get info' for the file it says there is no alpha channel. I'm stumped I can't seem to create an alpha channel from within Photoshop while I'm editing. Help!

Willi Adelberger
Willi AdelbergerCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 22, 2013

PNG does not support alpha channels, only alpha transparency when you save it as PNG24. If you need to have Alpha channels in Photoshop you have to save as PSD.

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4 replies

Philip25697023ry6h
Participant
August 18, 2022

For anyone stumbling across this high-pagerank answer when trying (in vain) to get Photoshop to correctly save alpha channels in PNG files, there is a great open-source plugin that allows for reading and writing of PNG alpha as either transparency OR alpha channels.

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    nad33m
    nad33m
    Participant
    August 22, 2013

    If you save as a 24bit png with transparent checked photoshop will save the png with transparent background (ie alpha transparency).  The png will appear transparent in a web browser.

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      Willi Adelberger
      Community Expert
      Willi AdelbergerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      August 22, 2013

      PNG does not support alpha channels, only alpha transparency when you save it as PNG24. If you need to have Alpha channels in Photoshop you have to save as PSD.

      Translate
      Anonymous
      August 24, 2013

      Thanks very much! All sorted

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