Move swatches from swatch libraries to the swatches panel

Last updated on Oct 27, 2025

Learn how to move swatches from swatch libraries to the swatches panel to access and use custom colors in Adobe Illustrator.

Select Windows > Swatches.

Select Swatch Libraries menu and select the swatch library from which you want to move swatches.

Select one or more swatches you want to add and select Add to Swatches from the swatch library’s panel menu.

The Add to Swatches option is highlighted in the swatch library's panel menu.
Select Add to Swatches in the Swatch Library panel menu to add selected colors to your Swatches panel.

Note

Apply a swatch to an artwork in the document. If the swatch is a global or spot-color swatch, the swatch is automatically added to the Swatches panel.