Photoshop: "Merge Layers" on subset of adjustment layers

I see exactly what's going on. In Photoshop, when you have more than one layer selected, the top-most layer has the distinction of being the "Most-Selected-Layer" - meaning that when the layers are merged, they are pushed into the "Most-Selected-Layer's" slot (and inherit that layer's name and properties). In this case, it becomes a no-op because the layers that are clipped wouldn't have a layer to be clipped to anymore.

The workaround is to select "adj layer C" alone and hit ctrl + e to merge down. Then change the z-order so "adj layer A" is directly above the base layer and hit ctrl + e to merge down.

You already can, just select the layers you want to merge, then merge those.

BUT that may not preserve the appearance because you're changing the order of the math applied to the layer.

Thanks Jeffrey for validating my use case, and the work-around you suggested is solid as one is usually trying to merge the adjustment layers directly above into the base while keeping the higher adjustment layers intact.

To have a one-operation solution for the specific use-case I presented would require a fix.

Thanks guys,

With this configuration, CRT+E does nothing at all.

Maybe I should have posted this in the "Bugs" section?

I know Jeff, but we still haven't convinced Chris.