File Type
Last updated on
Oct 25, 2026
Review file status indicators, toolbar options, and menu commands for managing placed files in Illustrator.
Consult this reference when you need to interpret file status indicators, understand toolbar options, or access specific panel menu commands in the Links panel.
Display the Links panel
Access the Links panel through Window > Links. The panel displays all placed files in your document, whether linked or embedded.
Linked vs. embedded files
The Links panel distinguishes between two types of placed files:
|
|
Behavior |
Updates |
|
Linked |
Source file remains external; reference maintained in document |
Automatic when source file changes |
|
Embedded |
Source file becomes part of document; no external connection |
None; changes to original file don't affect document |
When you move Illustrator documents with linked files between systems, maintain the relative folder structure to preserve link connections. For example, if your document resides in folder A, linked files in folder B, and both folders in parent folder C, moving folder C intact preserves all links.
File status indicators
The Links panel displays icons that indicate the current status of each placed file:
|
Indicator |
Icon |
Meaning |
|
Update Available |
⚠️ |
Source file has been modified since placement |
|
Missing Link |
⚠️ |
Source file cannot be located at its original path |
|
Linked |
🔗 |
File is linked to external source |
|
Cloud |
☁️ |
File is stored in Creative Cloud |
|
Embedded |
(no icon) |
File is embedded in document with no external connection |
Toolbar options
The Links panel toolbar provides quick access to common file management actions:
|
Option |
Function |
|
Show Link Info |
Displays detailed information about selected file including name, location, dimensions, color space, and PPI |
|
Relink from CC Libraries |
Restores connection to missing file stored in Creative Cloud Libraries |
|
Relink |
Restores connection to missing file or replaces linked file with different source |
|
Go To Link |
Selects and centers the linked object in the document window |
|
Update Link |
Refreshes linked file to match current version of source file |
|
Edit Original |
Opens source file in its native application for editing |
|
Delete |
Removes link reference (does not delete placed artwork from document) |
Panel menu options
Additional commands available through the Links panel menu:
|
Command |
Purpose |
|
Edit in Photoshop |
Opens Photoshop files directly for editing; changes reflect in placed instance |
|
Placement Options |
Controls alignment and positioning settings for selected file |
|
Show in Finder (macOS) |
Reveals source file location in Finder |
|
Show in Explorer (Windows) |
Reveals source file location in File Explorer |
|
Sort by Name |
Arranges files alphabetically by filename |
|
Sort by Kind |
Groups files by file type |
|
Sort by Status |
Groups files by status indicator (missing, modified, up-to-date) |
|
Sort by Size |
Arranges files by file size in ascending or descending order |
|
Copy Info |
Copies filename to clipboard for easy reference or searching |
|
Panel Options |
Controls thumbnail display size and visibility options |
|
Embed Images |
Converts linked file to embedded file |
Note
Converting a linked file to embedded breaks the connection to the source file. Changes made to the original will no longer update in your document.
For step-by-step instructions on relinking files, updating links, or embedding images, see Manage linked and embedded files.
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