Group swatches

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to group swatches to organize colors and streamline your design workflow.

You can create a swatch group when you want to keep particular colors together in the Swatches panel. For example, you can create a swatch group for colors you select in the Color Guide panel. When you save a swatch group in the Edit Colors dialog box, it’s automatically saved as a swatch group in the Swatches panel. You can also manually group any set of solid color swatches.

Select Windows > Swatches.

Select one or more swatches that you want to group.

Select More > New Swatch Group in the Swatches panel.

The Swatches panel shows multiple color swatches selected and the New Swatch Group option is highlighted.
Select New Swatch Group in the Swatches panel to organize selected colors into a custom group.

Note

Alternatively, you can select New Swatch Group from the panel menu.

Create swatches from the following option:

  • Selected Swatches: Use this to create a color group from swatches you’ve manually selected in the Swatches panel.
  • Selected Artwork: Use this to create a color group from all the unique colors used in the selected artwork.
    • Convert Process to Global: Converts process colors into global swatches, which are linked—editing the swatch automatically updates all artwork using that color.
    • Include Swatches for Tints: Includes tint variations of colors used in the selected artwork, allowing for consistent color application across different opacities.

Type a name in the New Swatch Group dialog box and select OK.