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How To Easily Copy Settings In Lightroom

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After editing a photo, you can easily copy settings in Lightroom and paste them onto new images to speed up your workflow. There are different ways you can do this, depending on how many images you want to paste the settings to.

Here are all the ways to copy and paste certain settings across individual or multiple images to save you a ton of time.


Lesson Summary
Step 1: Select The Edited Image In The Develop Module
Step 2: Click On Copy Or Press Control/Command + C
Step 3: Enable All The Settings You Want To Be Copied In The Dialog Box
Step 4: Select The Image You Want To Paste The Settings To
Step 5: Click On Paste Or Press Control/Command + V
Step 1: Select The Edited Image In The Develop Module
Step 2: Click On Copy Or Press Control/Command + C
Step 3: Enable All The Settings You Want To Be Copied In The Dialog Box
Step 4: Select The Image You Want To Paste The Settings To
Step 5: Click On Paste Or Press Control/Command + V

How To Copy Settings In Lightroom

Step 1: Open The Develop Module And Select The Edited Image

Within the Develop Module, click on the image you want to copy the settings from. Remember that you need to have adjustments already applied to the photo to actually copy anything.

Step 2: Click On Copy In The Bottom Left Corner

With the image selected, press the Copy button found in the bottom left corner of the window. You can also use the shortcut Control + C (Win) or Command + C (Mac) to access the copy dialog box.

Step 3: Enable All The Settings You Want To Be Copied In The Dialog Box

In the dialogue box that appears, you can control exactly what settings you will be copying. For example, the Basics Panel is represented by the “Basics” section in the copy settings window. Beneath this adjustment is all the related adjustments found within that panel, such as exposure, contrasts, highlights, shadows, whites, blacks, etc.

To quickly copy all the settings from an image, click the Check All button in the bottom left corner. Alternatively, if you only want one or two adjustments copied, click Check None and then manually enable the adjustments you need.

With everything in order, press Copy to copy your selected settings.

Step 4: Select A New Image And Click On Paste

Next, to paste your settings, select another photo in your filmstrip. Then click the Paste button to paste your copied settings onto the new photo. You can also use the shortcut Control + V (Win) or Command + V (Mac) to paste the settings onto the new image.

How To Paste Settings Onto Multiple Images In Lightroom

Step 1: Select Your Edited Image And The Images You Want To Be Edited

First, select the edited image from which you want to copy the settings.

Then, to select multiple photos to paste the settings to, hold Control (Win) or Command (Mac) and click between the images.

Step 2: Click On Sync In The Library Or Develop Module

You can sync the settings from either the Library or the Develop Module. In the Library Module, click on Sync Settings. However, in the Develop Module, click on Sync for the same result. Both buttons are located in the bottom right corner of the module.

Step 3: Select The Settings To Copy And Click Synchronize

A Synchronize Settings dialogue box will appear for you to choose which settings you want to synchronize. Just like before, leaving any adjustment enabled will mean it will be applied across all your selected photos. Any adjustment that is unchecked will be excluded from the synchronization.

With all your settings in order, click Synchronize to update all your selected images with the settings from your currently active photo.

Learning how to copy and paste settings between large numbers of photos is an essential part of batch editing in Lightroom. Now, before you start batch editing, it’s important to ensure all your photos are organized so you aren’t wasting time with less-than-perfect images. Luckily, this guide to culling photos in Lightroom will get you up to speed!

Happy Editing!

Brendan 🙂



Photo of author
I'm a Canadian photographer and photo retoucher turned founder of bwillcreative.com. Around here I help you to decode the mystery of photo editing with no-fluff videos and written guides to help you achieve your creative goals. Outside of shooting photos and my passion for educating, you'll find me mountain biking or on the trails with my dog, Sunny!

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