The direct keyboard shortcut to merge selected layers in Photoshop is Ctrl+E on Windows and Command+E on Mac.
Merging layers is a common task in Adobe Photoshop used to combine multiple layers into a single one. This can help reduce file size, simplify your layer panel, and prepare your image for certain edits or outputs.
As highlighted in the reference, the standard way to merge specific layers using a shortcut involves first selecting the layers you wish to combine. You can do this by clicking on one layer in the Layers panel, holding down the Shift key, and clicking on another layer to select a range, or holding down the Ctrl key (Windows) or Command key (Mac) and clicking on individual layers to select them non-contiguously. Once the layers are selected, pressing the merge shortcut will combine them into one.
Here is a quick reference for the merge selected layers shortcut:
| Operating System | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Windows | Ctrl+E |
| macOS | Command+E |
How to Use the Merge Layers Shortcut
To effectively use the Ctrl+E or Command+E shortcut:
- Open your document in Adobe Photoshop.
- Go to the Layers panel.
- Select the layers you want to merge.
- For adjacent layers, click the top layer, hold Shift, and click the bottom layer.
- For non-adjacent layers, hold Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) and click each layer you want to select.
- With the layers selected, press the corresponding merge shortcut:
- Ctrl+E (Windows)
- Command+E (Mac)
The selected layers will then be combined into a single new layer, typically named after the topmost layer in your selection.
Other Merging Options
While Ctrl+E / Command+E merges selected layers, Photoshop also offers other merging functionalities, often accessed through menu options or different shortcuts:
- Merge Down: Merges the currently selected layer with the layer directly below it.
- Merge Visible: Merges all layers that have the visibility (eye) icon turned on. The shortcut for this is typically Shift + Ctrl + E (Windows) or Shift + Command + E (Mac).
- Flatten Image: Merges all layers in the document into a single background layer, discarding any hidden layers.
Understanding the difference between these methods is crucial for efficient workflow in Photoshop. The Ctrl+E / Command+E shortcut remains the quickest way to merge specific layers that you manually select.
