Layers Tab

The Layers tab provides quick access to layers, layer configurations, and tools for creating and deleting layers.

Go to View > Tabs > Layers or press ALT+Y to show the Layers tab.

ClosedLayers List

The image below shows an example of the Layers tab of a layered PDF:

Layers with child layers will have a toggle triangle to the left of their names. Click this triangle to expand or collapse the list of child layers.

ClosedShow or Hide Layers

To show or hide a layer, click the box to the left of the layer's name to toggle its visibility. A layer with check in the box is visible and a layer with an empty box is hidden.

To show or hide a parent layer and all its child layers at the same time, CTRL-click the parent layer and select Show Layer. This toggles the show/hide setting of both the parent layer and all child layers.

To show only one layer, CTRL-click the layer name and select Isolate. The selected layer and its children will be shown and all other layers will be hidden.

ClosedMoving Layers

Click and drag a layer to move it to a new location in the layers list. Drop it on top of an existing layer to make it a child of that layer or move it before or after another layer; a line will appear to show where the new layer will be located.

ClosedLayers Tab Toolbar

Closed Add Layer

Adds a new, blank layer to the PDF. By default, the new layer is positioned immediately after the layer that is currently selected; if no layer is currently selected, the new layer is positioned at the end of the layers list. Click the triangle to the right of the button to choose a different position for the new layer:

  • Add Before: Creates a new layer before the selected layer.
  • Add After; Creates a new layer after the selected layer (default).
  • Add Child: Creates a new layer as a child of the selected layer.
Closed Delete Layer

Opens the Delete Layer dialog box to delete the selected layer and its children, if applicable.

ClosedContext Menu

The following options are available in the context menu of a selected layer (CTRL-click a layer to reveal this menu):

Show Layer: Toggle to display or hide current layer or layers.

Isolate: Display this layer and its children, and hide all other layers.

Show All: Display all layers.

Markup Layer: Sets the selected layer as the Markup Layer. New markups will be created on this layer. The markup icon displays after the layer name.

Rename: Change the name of the layer.

Related topics

Adding Layers to a PDF

Deleting Layers

Using Layer Visibility