To view or edit layer properties, you need to select the layer first. This article will introduce how to select layers and offer some tips. # Select a single layer You can select a layer within the canvas or the layer list. In most cases, clicking on a layer within the canvas will select it. ![Select a layer](https://motiff.fbcontent.cn/public/resource/cms/video/4c36e1dd-7423-4c2a-8f1d-573f21aae64b.mp4) If you are working on a more complex design, layers are often nested within groups or frames. In this case, selecting a layer requires more precise operations. ## Select nested layers When you click on a group of nested layers in the canvas, Motiff selects its [parent layer](https://motiff.com/help/docs/articles/38036382480896#0-parent/child/sibling%20relationships) by default. At this point, double-click the layer or press the Enter key, and Motiff will select the next level of the child layer. Repeat the above action until the layer you want is selected. ![Select nested layers](https://static.motiffcontent.com/public/resource/cms/video/af614edb-e026-4f95-9f6e-8a3efcfc1fbd.mp4) :::wk-block{.tip} Tip: You can use the following shortcuts to switch the selected layer: * Select child layer Enter * Select parent layer Shift + Enter * Select the next sibling layer Tab * Select the previous sibling layer Tab + Enter ::: ## Deep select When there are too many nested levels, you can use the deep selection feature to quickly select the layer you need by holding down the modifier key ⌘ Command / Ctrl and clicking on the required layer in the canvas. ## Select layer menu You can select the required layer in the canvas through the **Select layer** menu. 1. Right-click on the layer you need to select in the canvas. 2. Hover the cursor over the **Select layer** option. 3. Motiff will display the icons and names of the layers in the order they appear in the **Layers** list. 4. Choose the layer you need. !['select layer menu.png'](https://static.motiffcontent.com/public/resource/cms/image/rp2sh10t4.png) ## Layers list Every layer in the canvas is displayed in the **Layers** list, where you can select the layer you need. When you hover the cursor over a layer in the **Layers** list, Motiff will highlight its position in the canvas area. Clicking on the layer name in the **Layers** list will select the layer. For nested layers, click the arrow to the left of the parent layer in the **Layers** list to expand and view the child layers. ![Layers list](https://static.motiffcontent.com/public/resource/cms/video/885a72d5-7da6-45d7-9110-db90bc1382fc.mp4) # Select multiple layers When you have the following needs, you can select multiple layers at the same time: * Modify the properties of multiple layers at the same time. * Adjust layer sizes in batch. * Move the position of multiple layers. * Create groups or frames for multiple layers. :::wk-block{.note} Note: When you select multiple layers, you can use the **Selection color** feature in the right sidebar to modify individual fills, styles, or strokes. Learn more about [Selection colors](https://wukong-abroad-test.zhenguanyu.com/help/docs/articles/37712112438016). ::: ## Select multiple layers in the canvas 1. Select a layer in the canvas. 2. Hold down ⇧ Shift and click another layer. 3. Repeat the above step to select more layers as needed. :::wk-block{.tip} Tip: Hold down ⇧ Shift and click on the selected layer again in order to deselect it. ::: ![Select multiple layers in the canvas](https://static.motiffcontent.com/public/resource/cms/video/07c81b6c-2a91-4805-9ffe-1dd08478ad8e.mp4) ## Select layers in the canvas The **Select** tool allows you to select all layers within a specific area of the canvas. 1. Click and drag the cursor over the layers you want to select in a blank area of the canvas. 2. A selection box will appear around the selected layers. 3. To select nested layers, you can hold down the modifier key ⌘ Command / Ctrl and then drag to select. ![Select layers in the canvas](https://static.motiffcontent.com/public/resource/cms/video/98b26fe0-1ce9-477a-aafd-86c69f01685b.mp4) :::wk-block{.note} Note: When you select a parent layer with **Select** tool, Motiff will select all child layers by default, at which point you can move all content. ::: :::wk-block{.tip} Tip: You can use the shortcut keys to select all content within the canvas: * macOS: ⌘ Command + A * Windows: Ctrl + A ::: ## Select multiple layers in the layers list To select every layer between two layers: 1. Select the first layer in the **Layers** list. 2. Hold down the modifier key ⇧ Shift . 3. Click to select the last layer. 4. Motiff will select every layer between the two layers. To select any number of layers: 1. Click to select the first layer in the **Layers** list. 2. Hold down the modifier key ⌘ Command / Ctrl . 3. Click to select the other layers you need. ![Select multiple layers in the layers list](https://static.motiffcontent.com/public/resource/cms/video/5aa905e8-7ce4-4edd-b111-eac9fa59f177.mp4) # Select locked or hidden layers Hidden layers will not appear in the **Select layer** feature menu unless you unhide them. Locked layers cannot be selected by clicking or dragging, but can be selected through the **Select layer** feature. # Deselect layers ## Deselect all layers You can deselect all layers in the following ways: * Click anywhere on the canvas. * Use the shortcut key ESC . ## Deselect a single layer If you want to deselect a single layer, you can hold down ⇧ Shift and click on the selected layer again. :::wk-block{.note} Note: If you click on the parent layer, it will deselect the parent layer and all nested child layers. ::: ## Invert selection You can use shortcut keys to deselect the current layer and select all other ones that are not currently selected. * macOS: ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Command + A * Windows: Ctrl + Shift + A