---
title: Add Layers
description: Separate a drawing into layers, such as floors of a building, and set each one visible or clickable.
---

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1. [SmartDraw Knowledge Base](https://support.smartdraw.com/?hsLang=en-us)
2. [Reference](https://support.smartdraw.com/reference?hsLang=en-us)
3. [Layers](https://support.smartdraw.com/reference?hsLang=en-us#layers)

# Add Layers

Layers separate your visual into parts, and are primarily used to keep items from interfering with each other. For example, you may want to separate a floor plan by stories. The first story of a house could be on one layer, and the second story on an additional layer.

Add a layer to your visual by choosing **New Layer** from the **Layers** menu at the bottom of your workspace. Alternatively, you can also access layers from the **Page** tab.

![](https://support.smartdraw.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/17990959868180-3.png)

Type the name of the new layer into the *Name *field, and **select **or **deselect Visible **and **Clickable **from the *New Layer* dialog box.

Selecting **Visible **allows that layer to be seen when you are viewing a different layer in your visual.

Selecting **Clickable **allows that layer to be edited (ex: moving items around) when you are viewing a different layer in your visual.

![](https://support.smartdraw.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/17990959870228-3.png)

 

Edit your layers by choosing **Manage Layers** from the **Layers** control at the bottom of the page or the **Page** tab.

![](https://support.smartdraw.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/17990935058964-3.png)

If you need to rename a layer, click on **Edit Layer**.

If you need to delete a layer, select **Remove Layer**.

To move a layer, choose **Move Layer Up** or **Move Layer Down**.

![](https://support.smartdraw.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/17990935060756-3.png)

To add symbols and work on a specific layer,  select the name of the layer you want to work on in the layers control below your workspace.  
 

![](https://support.smartdraw.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/17990935062548-3.png)

 

[Learn about locking layers.](https://support.smartdraw.com/locking-layers?hsLang=en-us)

[Learn adding new layers.](https://support.smartdraw.com/new-layer-dialog?hsLang=en-us)

[Learn about defining layers.](https://support.smartdraw.com/manage-layers?hsLang=en-us)

 

 

 

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