To Work with the Layer List in the Layers Palette

Sort the layer list by name or by a property setting. Reduce the number of layers listed by using search. Create and manage layer groups.

  1. Click Format menu Layers.
  2. Click Layers palette Show Layer List.

Sort the Layer List

Change the Column Display

Filter Layers by Name Search

  1. In the Layers palette, click in the Search for Layer box.
  2. Enter a string of characters, including wild-card characters.

    For example, if you want to list all the layers that include the letters mech in their names, enter *mech*.

The following wildcards are available:
Character Definition
* (asterisk) Matches any string and can be used anywhere in the search string
? (question mark) Matches any single character; for example, ?BC matches ABC, 3BC, and so on
Note: To list all the layers again, clear the Search for Layer box.

Create a Layer Group Based on Layer Properties

  1. In the Layers palette, click New Dynamic Layer Group.
  2. In the New Dynamic Group dialog, enter a name for the group.
  3. Specify the rules as follows:
    • To group by Name, select Name, the match criteria, and enter the match value.
    • To group by property, select the property and the property state.
    • To group using logical AND rules, click .
    • To group using logical OR rules, click

In this example, the dynamic layer group includes:

Create a Layer Group by Selecting Layers

  1. In the Layers palette, click New Layer Group.
  2. Enter a name for the layer group.
  3. Drag the layers from the layer list to the layer group.
Note: Layers are listed in both the groups they belong to and the full layer list.

Remove a Layer From a Layer Group

Remove a Layer Group

Display Layer Groups

  1. In the Layers palette, click Display Settings.
  2. Select from the available group display options.