Select Window > Symbols.
Last updated on
Sep 11, 2025
Learn how to transform, expand, redefine, or reset symbol instance. Break links, apply registration points, and modify artwork effectively.
Note
Symbols can be moved, scaled, rotated, sheared, or reflected like any other object. You can also apply effects from the Effect menu and use settings from the Transparency, Appearance, and Graphic Styles panels on symbol instances. To edit a symbol’s individual parts, you must first expand it, which breaks its link to the original symbol and converts it into a regular object. If you open a Dynamic Symbol in an older version of Adobe Illustrator that doesn’t support dynamic symbols, it will automatically expand into a regular object.
Expand and modify a symbol instance
Once you expand and modify a symbol instance, you can redefine the original symbol in the Symbols panel. When you Redefine Symbol, all existing symbol instances follow the new definition.
Select the desired symbol from the Symbols panel and place it on the artboard.
Select the symbol instance from your artboard, and then select Break Link to Symbol in the Symbols panel.
Modify the object in your artboard.
To redefine the parent symbol, select the modified object, select the original symbol in the Symbols panel, and then select Redefine Symbol from the panel menu .
To create a new symbol, drag the modified object to the Symbols panel, modify settings in the Symbol Options dialog box, and then select OK.
Use the registration point as a reference to transform symbol instances
When creating a symbol, you can define one of nine registration points to control how symbol instances transform. This point appears as a crosshair when the instance is selected, both in normal and isolation modes.
Select Window > Transform.
In the Transform panel menu, select Use Registration Point for Symbol.
Note
This allows transformations to use the symbol’s registration point instead of the default Reference Point. The registration point appears when the symbol instance is selected.
Select the symbol instance on the artboard and modify as required.
Reset transformations
Select the symbol instance on the artboard.
In the Control panel, select Reset.
Note
When a symbol is placed in perspective, the options to replace a symbol instance with a different symbol, break the link with the parent symbol, and reset its transformations are disabled.
Design with precision in Illustrator
Bring your ideas to life with vector graphics tools built for creative freedom and accuracy.
