How do I remove grouping in Photoshop?

To remove grouping in Photoshop, specifically for layers, you can use a simple keyboard shortcut or the Layers panel menu option.

The most direct way to remove layer grouping in Photoshop is by using the keyboard shortcut:

• Windows: Ctrl + Shift + G
• macOS: Cmd + Shift + G

This action, often referred to as ungrouping layers, separates the layers previously contained within a layer group, moving them back to the main layer hierarchy.

Ungrouping Layers in Photoshop

Layer groups are incredibly useful for organizing complex Photoshop documents. However, there are times when you need to disband a group to work with the layers individually again. Photoshop provides two main methods to achieve this.

Method 1: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

This is the quickest and most common method.

1. Open the Layers panel (Window > Layers).
2. Select the Layer Group you wish to ungroup. You can click directly on the group folder icon or the group name in the panel.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + G (Windows) or Cmd + Shift + G (macOS).

All layers within the selected group will be removed from the group and placed directly above the former group's position in the Layers panel. The empty group folder will also be removed automatically.

Method 2: Using the Layers Panel Menu

If you prefer using menus or forget the shortcut, you can use the panel options.

1. Open the Layers panel (Window > Layers).
2. Select the Layer Group you want to ungroup.
3. Click on the Layers panel menu icon (usually a few horizontal lines or a gear) in the top-right corner of the Layers panel.
4. Select "Ungroup Layers" from the dropdown menu.

Similar to the shortcut method, this will disband the group and place the layers directly in the main layer stack.

Why Ungroup Layers?

You might need to ungroup layers for various reasons:

• To reorganize layers into different groups.
• To easily select and work with a single layer that was inside a group.
• To simplify the layer structure if a group is no longer needed.
• To prepare layers for export or specific automation tasks that don't handle groups well.

Action	Windows Shortcut	macOS Shortcut
Group Layers	Ctrl + G	Cmd + G
Ungroup Layers	Ctrl + Shift + G	Cmd + Shift + G

By following these steps, you can efficiently remove grouping from your layers in Adobe Photoshop and regain individual control over them.