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Question

Illustrator 26 not preserving external links.

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
February 28, 2026
2 replies
53 views

In Adobe Illustrator 26 on macOS 15.7.4 (Sequoia), externally linked .PSD files are not being preserved. The .PSD functions normally when first placed and can be updated or opened via the Links panel. After saving and reopening the document, the link is inactive, with “Update Link” and “Edit Original” greyed out. The PSD has to be relinked, which is then lost on the next save/open.

Illustrator 25 works fine.

Community Expert

Community Expert

Another potantial cause could be the preferences setting “Save in background”. Turn it off.

mattersnotAuthor

Participating Frequently

I’ll try that.

Community Expert

Community Expert

When saving the file do you check “Include links”? That option actually embeds them, which would explain what you are seeing.

mattersnotAuthor

Participating Frequently

When the AI file is re-opened, that setting is unavailable until the .PSD is relinked. It’s lost with the rest on the next save/open.

It’s almost like the external file was moved, except it hasn’t been.

Community Expert

Community Expert

Can you turn off “Save in background”, relink the file and save again?