Discover the basics of selection.

Photoshop has many selection tools, from manual lassos to AI-powered smart selection tools. This guide will teach you the basics.

Create a complex selection.

Learn to use the Object Selection tool and other Photoshop features to create complex juxtapositions.

Make quick selections.

Tools like Select Subject allow you to grab and edit regions of your canvas in just a few clicks.

Go manual with Select and Mask.

The Select and Mask workplace is perfect for those looking to get more creative or work freehand.

PHOTOSHOP FEATURES

How to deselect in Adobe Photoshop.

There are dozens of selection methods in Photoshop. You also can deselect at any time to help navigate different areas of your project.

Start free trial View plans and pricing

(De)selection can be your best friend.

Photoshop gives you myriad tools for selecting areas of a project, without having to worry about losing your selection. But what about when you need to deselect? There are many ways to get the job done.

style

grid width 8

Selection tools for any need.

Selection is a powerful tool in Photoshop, because it allows you to edit only in a specific spot. There are nine selection tools to choose from within the app. For starters, you can make manual selections with the Lasso tool or automatic ones with the Select Subject tool.

Detailed deselection options.

While selecting what you want to edit is important, the ability to deselect objects is important too. Photoshop gives you several different methods for deselecting objects or deselecting layers, so you aren’t ever trapped by your own lasso.

Reselect for success.

Sometimes you accidentally lose a selection, or you need to bring an old one back. The Select › Reselect menu option is there to help by reselecting your last selection.

Layers of Photoshop selection.

Choose You can put a selection on its own layer quickly. Then you can simply click between those layers as you edit, keeping your selections intact while also using powerful layer masks.

style

L spacing

Deselect in 3 different ways.

Deselecting is easy. Choose from the three ways below to find a way that suits the way you work.

Shortcut it:
Keyboard shortcuts are a handy tool — Ctrl+D in Windows (Command+D in macOS) will deselect in a flash.
Click it:
Right-click the selected area with your cursor and click the Deselect option.
Menu-bar it:
You can also deselect from the Options bar by navigating to Select › Deselect.

style

grid width 8

background

#f5f5f5

Do more with Adobe Photoshop.

Start free trial Learn more about Photoshop

Why would you need to deselect?

Selecting and deselecting are two of the most common actions in Photoshop, and the possibilities are limitless. Here are just a few examples of when you might need to deselect.

style

grid width 8

style

S spacing

Your job is done.

Once you’ve selected what you need and made your edits, moving on requires a quick dismount. Learning hotkeys and other shortcuts ensures you’ll be out of the selection zone quickly.

You need to get more precise.

Sometimes you select too much. With quick deselection, you can start fresh. Or with tools like Quick Mask, you can subtract areas using the Eraser tool, so you can refine a selection or create an entirely new layer.