Export artwork from Illustrator

Last updated on Oct 24, 2026

Use the Export As command to save artwork in multiple formats with artboard export options.

Export artwork when you need to save your designs in formats for web, mobile, print, or other applications outside Illustrator.

Use File > Export > Export As to convert your Illustrator artwork to formats such as PNG, JPEG, SVG, or PDF for use in other applications or workflows. This command controls how multiple artboards are handled during export. For detailed settings specific to each file format, refer to the export format options reference.

Note

Save your document as an AI file before exporting if you want to preserve Illustrator editing capabilities.

Export artwork to a different format

Select File > Export > Export As.

Select a save location and enter a filename.

Select a file format from the Save As Type (Windows) or Format (macOS) menu.

Select Use Artboards to export each artboard separately.

Choose All or select Range and specify which artboards to export.

Select Export and configure any format-specific options in the dialog that appears.

When you export multiple artboards as separate files, Illustrator appends the artboard name or number to each filename.

Background export

Illustrator exports PNG and JPEG files in the background so you can continue working. This feature is available when using File > Export > Export As or Export for Screens.

Monitor export progress

Select the progress icon in the menu bar to monitor active exports.

To stop an export in progress, select Cancel in the progress indicator.

Note

Only PNG and JPEG formats support background export. SVG and PDF formats use the standard export process. If you select a mix of raster and vector formats, all exports will use the standard process rather than run in the background.

Change background export settings

Background export is enabled by default. To turn it off, select Illustrator > Preferences > File Handling & Clipboard (macOS) or Edit > Preferences > File Handling & Clipboard (Windows), then deselect the Export in Background option.

Note

Changes made after an export starts aren't included in the current export. Export the file again to include later edits.

Supported export formats

Illustrator supports exporting to these file formats:

Raster formats: PNG, JPEG, TIFF, BMP, Targa (TGA), WebP

Vector formats: SVG, PDF, EPS, AutoCAD (DWG and DXF), Windows Metafile (WMF), Enhanced Metafile (EMF)

Other formats: Photoshop (PSD), Macintosh PICT, Text (TXT)

Each format includes its own export options for resolution, color, transparency, and compression.

Note

You can export multiple artboards to a single file or as separate files only in these formats: SWF, JPEG, PSD, PNG, and TIFF.

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