How do I select multiple layers in Illustrator app?

You can select multiple layers in Adobe Illustrator using several methods, detailed below.

Selecting Consecutive Layers

To select multiple consecutive layers in the Illustrator layers panel:

1. Click the first layer you wish to select.
2. Drag down the layer list. As you drag, the target icons next to the layers will become selected.
   • Important: Drag slowly to ensure all layers are selected. According to the reference, some layers might be missed if you drag too quickly.

Skipping Layers While Selecting

If you need to select non-consecutive layers alongside a range:

1. Start selecting the initial consecutive layers as described above.
2. While still dragging down and selecting, use Shift-Option-click to skip individual layers. This allows you to bypass certain layers and select additional consecutive layers lower down in the palette.
   • This enables very precise and rapid selection of non-adjacent sets of layers within the Illustrator document.

Additional Methods

While the drag-and-select method is very common and efficient, there are also other ways to select layers:

• Clicking with Shift: Hold down the Shift key and click on individual layers to select them. This works to select both consecutive and non-consecutive layers.
• Using the selection tool (V) on Artboard: Selecting objects directly on the artboard also highlights and selects their respective layers in the layer panel.

Summary of Layer Selection Techniques

Technique	Description	Best for
Drag Down	Click the first layer, and drag downwards.	Selecting consecutive layers
Shift-Option-Click	While dragging, use Shift-Option-click to skip layers.	Skipping layers during selection
Shift + Click	Hold shift while clicking on layers.	Selecting consecutive or non consecutive layers.
Artboard Selection	Select items directly on the artboard using the selection tool (V)	Selecting layers based on objects on the artboard.