Using Layers in Zoom Whiteboard

The Layers feature lets you organize and group your whiteboard content into separate stacks (layers) so you can work on complex boards more efficiently. By moving objects into named layers, hiding or locking groups of items, and isolating one layer at a time, you keep your workspace tidy and maintain a clear hierarchy in multi-step diagrams or presentations.

Requirements for using Layers in Zoom Whiteboard

Table of Contents

How to access and manage layers

Open the layers panel

  1. Create or open a whiteboard.
  2. At the top-left corner of the whiteboard, click the Page icon .
    The Pages panel will appear.
  3. Click the Layers icon .
    The Layers panel will appear, listing your current base layer plus any custom layers.

Create a new layer

  1. From the Layers panel, click Add Layer at the bottom.
  2. Enter a name for your layer.
  3. Click Enter.
    Your new layer appears above the base layer.

Note: You can also right-click any selected object on the canvas, choose Move to Layer, then Add Layer, and name it in one step.

Move objects between layers

  1. Select one or more objects.
  2. Right-click, choose Move to Layer, then select the target layer.
    All selected items jump into that layer, preserving their relative Z-order.

Rename or duplicate a layer

  1. Select the layer you want to manage.
  2. Click the ellipsis icon  to perform the following actions:

Hide, lock, and reorder layers

  1. Select the layer you want to manage.
  2. Choose from the following options:

Focus on a single layer

  1. Click a layer’s name in the pane to select it.
    All other layers dim to the background. Only this layer’s objects remain in full focus.
  2. Click the page background or another layer to exit focus mode.

Why use layers

Layers Frequently asked questions