Use library-linked assets in Photoshop

Last updated on Oct 6, 2026

Learn how to place assets from Creative Cloud Libraries as linked assets that automatically update when the original asset changes in Adobe Photoshop on desktop.

Library-linked assets maintain a connection to the original asset stored in a Creative Cloud Library. When the source asset changes, Photoshop updates all linked instances while preserving edits applied to individual layers.

Place a linked library asset

Select Window > Libraries to open the Libraries panel.

Locate the asset that you want to use.

Right-click the asset and select Place Linked.

Position the asset in the document.

Press Enter (Windows) or Return (macOS) to confirm placement.

The linked asset appears as a new layer with a cloud icon in the Layers panel. Photoshop reflects changes to the original library asset in all linked instances after synchronization.

Edit a linked library asset

In the Layers panel, locate the linked library asset.

Double-click the cloud icon in the layer thumbnail.

Edit the asset and save the changes. Photoshop updates all linked instances that reference the asset after synchronization.

Sync library assets

Creative Cloud Libraries synchronize assets across supported Adobe applications and devices.

If changes to a linked asset don't appear, make sure Creative Cloud synchronization is enabled in the Creative Cloud desktop app and allow time for the library to sync.