The primary keyboard shortcut to arrange layers in Photoshop by moving them up or down in the layer stack is Control + [ (move down) or Control + ] (move up) on Windows.
Arranging layers often refers to changing their stacking order within the Layers panel. This determines which layers appear in front of or behind others in your document. Using keyboard shortcuts allows you to quickly adjust this order without needing to drag layers manually.
According to the Keys for the Layers panel reference from Adobe, the shortcut for moving a target layer is as follows:
Layer Arrangement Shortcuts (Windows)
| Result | Windows |
|---|---|
| Move target layer down | Control + [ |
| Move target layer up | Control + ] |
These shortcuts are efficient for fine-tuning the visual hierarchy of elements in your design or composition. By selecting a layer in the Layers panel and using these key combinations, you can quickly shift its position relative to the layers above and below it.
For example:
- If you have three layers (Layer 1 on top, Layer 2 in the middle, Layer 3 on the bottom) and select Layer 1, pressing Control + [ will move Layer 1 down, placing it below Layer 2.
- If you select Layer 3 and press Control + ], it will move Layer 3 up, placing it above Layer 2.
While the reference also lists other useful shortcuts for the Layers panel, such as activating or selecting layers (Alt + ./ , Alt + [/ ]) and merging visible layers (Control + Shift + Alt + E), the Control + [ or ] shortcut specifically addresses the action of changing a layer's stacking order, which is a key aspect of "arranging" layers via keyboard.
