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How do I invert a selection in Photoshop?

Published in Photoshop Selections 2 mins read

To invert a selection in Photoshop, you can use a simple keyboard shortcut.

Inverting Selections Quickly

Inverting a selection means selecting everything outside of your current selection, and deselecting what you previously had selected. This can be very useful when working with complex images. Here’s the easiest way:

Operating System Keyboard Shortcut
PC Ctrl + Shift + i
Mac Command + Shift + i

Practical Examples

Here are some common situations where inverting a selection might be useful:

  • Selecting a Background: If you've selected an object and want to edit the background instead, inverting the selection is a quick way to switch your focus.
  • Making Detailed Adjustments: If you've made a complex selection to target a small element of an image, inverting your selection can help you make broad edits to the rest of the image.

Step-by-Step Guide to Inverting

  1. First, make your initial selection using any of Photoshop's selection tools (e.g., Lasso, Magic Wand, Marquee).
  2. Then, use the keyboard shortcut: Ctrl + Shift + i on a PC or Command + Shift + i on a Mac.
  3. Your selection will now be inverted.

Key Takeaway

By utilizing the correct keyboard shortcut (Ctrl+Shift+i on PC or Command+Shift+i on Mac), you can quickly and easily invert your selection in Photoshop, which is crucial for certain editing tasks.

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