Selecting objects using the Layers palette


    You can quickly and precisely select objects, groups, or a single object in a group by using the Layers palette. This is especially helpful when you're working with complex and multi-layered artwork.

    Keep in mind that there is a difference between selecting an object by using the Layers palette, selecting a group, layer, or object's listing in the Layers palette, and targeting a layer, group, or container:

    • When an object is selected (by any method), a selection color mark displays in the object's selection column (between the target icon and scroll bar), the object's target icon displays as a double ring (either hollow double ring or filled double ring ), and a bounding box appears around the object in the document window.
    • When a listing for an object, group, or layer is selected in the Layers palette, the item is highlighted and the current-listing indicator current-listing indicator appears at the far right in the Layers palette. When you draw or place objects, the objects are added to the selected layer or group listing, or the selected object's layer or group.
    • When an item is targeted in the Layers palette, the item's target icon displays as a double ring (either hollow double ring or filled double ring ) and the item's selection color mark displays in the selection column. When a layer or group is targeted, you can apply appearance attributes simultaneously to all of the objects within the layer or group. Selecting a group by any method also targets the group, but layers must be targeted manually using the Layers palette. (See Targeting layers, groups, and containers.)

    A selection color mark appears to the right of a selected object's target button in the Layers palette. If there are multiple objects in a layer and only some of the objects in the layer are selected, a smaller selection color mark appears to the right of the layer's target button. If all of the objects within a layer are selected, the layer's selection color mark is the same size as the selection color marks that appear next to selected objects.

    Illustration of Layers palette with these callouts: A. Targeting and appearance column B. Selection column C. Small selection color marks indicate one or more selected objects in the layer or group D. A group's listing is highlighted and displays the current-listing indicator. E. Targeted (selected) group and large selection color mark
    Layers palette A. Targeting and appearance column B. Selection column C. Small selection color marks indicate one or more selected objects in the layer or group D. A group's listing is highlighted and displays the current-listing indicator. E. Targeted (selected) group and large selection color mark

To select objects using the Layers palette:

  1. In the Layers palette, locate the object you want to select. You may have to click a toggle arrow to expand a layer or group, or scroll up or down in the palette to locate the object.
  2. Click in the selection column (between the target button and the scroll bar). Shift-click to add or to remove objects from the selection.

To select all artwork in a layer or group:

    Do one of the following:

    • In the Layers palette, click in the layer's or group's selection column (between the target button and the scroll bar). Selection color marks appear next to each selected object in the palette.
    • Alt-click (Windows) or Option-click (Mac OS) a layer name or layer thumbnail in the Layers palette.
    • To select all artwork in a layer based on the currently selected artwork, choose Select > Object > All on Same Layer.

To select an item's listing in the Layers palette:

    Click the item's name once. The item's listing is highlighted and the current-listing indicator current-listing indicator appears at the far right. If a group or layer listing is selected, drawn or placed objects are inserted to the topmost position of that group or layer; if an object listing is selected, drawn or placed objects are inserted above the object.