Video: Manage shapes by adding layers
Applies To
Visio Plan 2 Visio Professional 2024 Visio Standard 2024 Visio Professional 2021 Visio Standard 2021 Visio Professional 2019 Visio Standard 2019 Visio Professional 2016 Visio Standard 2016
Try it!
Add layers to your Visio drawing to manage objects and stay organized.
See which layers a shape is assigned to
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Select a shape.
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Select Home > Layers > Assign to Layer.
The assigned layers are selected in the list.
Show or hide a layer
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Select Home > Layers > Layer Properties.
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Do one of the following.
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To show a layer, select its Visible check box.
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To hide a layer, clear its Visible check box.
Note: Shapes are visible if any of the layers they’re assigned to are visible.
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Assign shapes to layers
In some templates, certain shapes are assigned automatically to predefined layers.
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Select a shape.
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Select Home > Layers >Assign to Layer.
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Select the layers you want to assign the shape to, and select OK.
Tip: Shapes can be assigned to more than one layer. Organize them in both broad and specific layers, depending on your needs.
Make a layer active
Shapes can be assigned to more than one layer. Organize them in both broad and specific layers, depending on your needs.
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Select Home > Layers > Layer Properties.
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For the layer you want to make active, select its Active check box.
Create a layer
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Select Home > Layers > Layer Properties.
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Select New.
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Type a name for the layer, and select OK.
Delete a layer
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If shapes are assigned to the layer, assign them to a different layer.
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Select Home > Layers > Layer Properties.
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Select the layer, and select Remove.
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Select Yes.
Want more?
The "layers" feature is available in Visio Plan 1 and Visio Plan 2. It isn't available in Visio in Microsoft 365.
Add a layer
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On the Home tab, at the right end, select Layers.
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In the Layers pane, select Add New Layer.
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Type a name for the layer, then press Enter
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In the row that corresponds to your new layer, select the check boxes in each column for properties that you want the layer to have, if they are not already checked.
Assign a shape to a layer
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Select a shape or shapes.
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Right-click the selection, then select Assign to Layer.
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Select the name of the layer you want to assign the shape to.
Show or hide a layer
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On the Home tab, select Layers.
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In the Layers pane, point at the layer you want to show or hide, then select the symbol in the Toggle Visibility column to change that setting between
Rename a layer
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On the Home tab, select Layers.
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In the Layers pane, point at the layer you want to change, then select More Options > Rename.
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Double-click the current name to select it, then type the new name you want. Press Enter to save the name.
Note: The layer is renamed on the current page. The shapes on the layer are not removed or changed.
Delete a layer
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On the Home tab, select Layers.
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In the Layers pane, point at the layer you want to remove, then select More Options > Delete.
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In the Delete Layer dialog box, select whether you want to delete or preserve the shapes assigned to this layer, then select Delete.
Lock or unlock a layer
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On the Home tab, select Layers.
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In the Layers pane, point at the layer you want to lock or unlock, then select or
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