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January 6, 2026
Answered

Can't edit swatches in Illustrator 2025/26

  • January 6, 2026
  • 2 replies
  • 263 views

This is a new issue for me. I cannot open individual swatch options in the Swatches window by double clicking as I usually can. I can edit the color of a single object or create new swatches, but I can't edit existing ones. This includes both user-generated and default.

 

If I can open individual swatch options, it does not apply any changes to objects with that swatch applied. Basically, the only way I can edit the color of objects is by creating new swatches or changing the individual objects' colors every time. See video below for example.

 

Correct answer Rowan3462065610up

Wanted to post this workaround in case anyone else is encountering this issue! It is still not resolved to the usual double-click thing, nor can I select individual swatches by single-clicking, BUT if I click and drag the swatch to the bottom of the Swatches window, I can select the "Swatch Options" button and edit the swatches that way.

 

Unfortunately, this makes everything unorganized and chaotic, and is very cumbersome. But in case anyone else needs a workaround, this may be a good temporary fix until this bug is resolved.

 

2 replies

Rowan3462065610upAuthorCorrect answer
January 7, 2026

Wanted to post this workaround in case anyone else is encountering this issue! It is still not resolved to the usual double-click thing, nor can I select individual swatches by single-clicking, BUT if I click and drag the swatch to the bottom of the Swatches window, I can select the "Swatch Options" button and edit the swatches that way.

 

Unfortunately, this makes everything unorganized and chaotic, and is very cumbersome. But in case anyone else needs a workaround, this may be a good temporary fix until this bug is resolved.

 

Anubhav M
Community Manager
Community Manager
January 7, 2026

Hello @Rowan3462065610up,

I'm sorry to hear you're still having trouble with this. Would you mind trying to run Illustrator under a different administrator account (Windows / macOS) and checking if it helps?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

January 6, 2026

Edit: Forgot to put this in my post, but I tried clearing all view settings and changing properties and resetting workspaces. I tried updating to the latest version, uninstalling and reinstalling, and restarting my computer.

chanaart
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

Watching your video - I did not see you selecting the object. The Green rectangle needs to be selected!

You selected it after creating a new color!Screenshot 2026-01-06 at 13.15.03.png

chanaart
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 6, 2026

This is a screenshot form you video-  see the rectangle is not selected Screenshot 2026-01-06 at 13.16.00.png