Selecting > Moving, copying, and pasting selections and layers > Copying selections or layers
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Copying selections or layers


You can use the move tool to copy selections as you drag them within or between images, or you can copy and move selections using the Copy, Copy Merged, Cut, and Paste commands. Dragging with the move tool saves memory because the Clipboard is not used as it is with the Copy, Copy Merged, Cut, and Paste commands.
  • The Copy command copies the selected area on the active layer.
  • The Copy Merged command makes a merged copy of all the layers in the selected area.
  • The Paste command pastes a cut or copied selection into the center of the image or into another image as a new layer.
  • The Paste Into command pastes a cut or copied selection as a floating selection in the existing layer.

    • Keep in mind that when a selection or layer is pasted between images with different resolutions, the pasted data retains its original pixel dimensions. This can make the pasted portion appear out of proportion to the new image. Use the Image Size command to make the source and destination images the same resolution before copying and pasting.

    Depending on your color management settings and the color profile associated with the file (or imported data), you may be prompted to specify how to handle color information in the file (or imported data). For more information, see  Using color management.

    To copy a selection:

    1 Select the area you want to copy.

    2 Do one of the following:
  • Choose Edit > Copy to copy the selection to the Clipboard.
  • Choose Edit > Copy Merged to copy all layers in the selected area to the Clipboard.

    • To copy a selection while dragging:

    1 Select the move tool (), or hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) to activate the move tool.

    2 Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and drag the selection you want to copy and move.

    When copying between images, drag the selection from the active image window into the destination image window. If nothing is selected, the entire active layer is copied. As you drag the selection over another image window, a border highlights the window if you can drop the selection into it.

    To create multiple copies of a selection within an image:

    1 Select the move tool (), or hold down Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac OS) to activate the move tool.

    2 Copy the selection:
  • Hold down Alt (Windows) or Option (Mac OS), and drag the selection.
  • To copy the selection and offset the duplicate by 1 pixel, hold down Alt or Option, and press an arrow key.
  • To copy the selection and offset the duplicate by 10 pixels, press Alt+Shift (Windows) or Option+Shift (Mac OS), and press an arrow key.

    • As long as you hold down Alt or Option, each press of an arrow key creates a copy of the selection and offsets it by the specified distance from the last duplicate.

    To paste one selection into another:

    1 Cut or copy the part of the image you want to paste.

    2 Select the part of the image into which you want to paste the selection as a floating selection. Note that the pasted image will only appear in the selected area. If you move the pasted image out of the selection, it is not visible.

    3 Choose Edit > Paste Into.

    4 Select the move tool (), then drag the pasted image to the proper location.

    5 If you are satisfied with the results, deselect the pasted image to lock the layer.

    Selecting > Moving, copying, and pasting selections and layers > Copying selections or layers