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Participant
February 25, 2020
Question

Illustrator not updating links automatically

  • February 25, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 9547 views

I recall that once upon a time when your file was missing links, if you relinked one file, Illustrator would find all the other linked files in that folder and ask you if you wanted to relink them. Now, Illustrator can only seem to find just the file you are seeking to relink. If I have a file linked twice in a document, Illustrator only relinks one of them, even through they are identical. What happened to this very important time-saving feature? I've been using this application professionally since Illustrator 88, and while it's come a very long way since then, in the last few years it appears to be regressing instead of progressing with the above mentioned example as proof.

 

{Renamed by MOD}

3 replies

Participant
October 25, 2024

I am also facing same issues. Another issue I am facing also that is adobe fonts. after using in some projects some fonts from adobe fonts they updated or removed the fonts. I am requesting adobe to please work on these issues. 

Monika Gause
Community Expert
Community Expert
October 25, 2024

Some fonts have been removed a couple of years ago, but that was the last time and there is nothing Adobe could do about it. Have you been affected by that?

If yours happened more recently, it's not a removed font, but something differently. Can you describe what happened and the error messages?

Participating Frequently
July 9, 2024

Agreed... this is basic functionality, and the community shouldn't have to highlight the issue to get it repaired.

Now, the Link pallet refuses to allow you to click the "Edit Original" button, and once you go manually find and save it, Illustrator fails to let you know it's been changed, it refuses to allow you to use the "Update Link" buttton, forcing you to re-link the file, but once you've relinked the file once, you need to close the document, because you can't relink the same file multiple times.

If you can't keep the core function of the programs working, then don't add new functions. This is a major drain on my time.

Anshul_Saini
Community Manager
Community Manager
July 9, 2024

Hi @alpinemice,

 

I'm sorry to hear about the frustrations you're experiencing with the Link panel and the "Edit Original" and "Update Link" buttons in Illustrator. This functionality is indeed critical for a smooth workflow.

 

We are actively investigating such issues. To help us address this more effectively, could you provide the following details:

  • The exact version of Illustrator you're using
  • Your operating system version
  • Whether this issue occurs with all files or specific ones

Additionally, a screen recording demonstrating the issue would be very helpful.

 

We appreciate your patience and feedback as we work to resolve this.

 

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

Participant
December 6, 2024

This bug is STILL persisting in December 2024!! I am using the latest version of AI (as of December 6, 2024) on Windows 10. Of course this occurs with all files because it is a flaw with the software. I have about 20 files all in the same folder and right now I'm having to painstakingly link each of them One.  At.    A.          Time................  I have tried all the tips from this chain and none work. If you think you have a resolution, please post it here with step-by-step instructions on how to fix this. This means have a numeral 1 for step 1, 2 for step 2, and so on. Then I can print it out and post it on my wall. If there is no resolution, I'll try to save the file in Illustrator 5.5 which resides on my Macbook Pro 2015. It will do this seamlessly if it opens. Can you give any tips on how to save back to that (superior) version?

MHBrown

Ashutosh_Mishra
Inspiring
February 26, 2020

Hi there,

 

Thanks for reaching out. Would you mind sharing the version of OS and Illustrator?
Also, I'd recommend checking out Update Links option under Preference > File handling & Clipboard and make sure it is set properly as per your requirement.

I am also attaching a screenshot for your reference:

Let us know if it helps.

 

Regards,

Ashutosh

 

ingelablack
Known Participant
November 6, 2020

I have also problems with missing linked files.

(I had a long time ago uncheck  the new the includ linked files) 

I checked above preterences, they are the same as yours suggested, so not solution for me..

I have windows 10, and it is uneven issue. I have files on computer. I am used to organizing work around this link problem and I probably challenge the illustrator with amount of linked files and pages..