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Participating Frequently
November 15, 2017
Question

Linking one image to others, so changing it changes the others

  • November 15, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 1521 views

I have a new job where they have templates set up for printing multiple labels.  One artboard has the main label where changes are made that automatically change the second artboard's images where multiple copies of this label exist for printing on label sheets.   I know it's somehow related to it being in a symbol but I don't want to admit to them I don't know how this was done.  Can someone explain how this is done?

thx

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    4 replies

    Doug A Roberts
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 16, 2017

    tvshrine  wrote

    I know it's somehow related to it being in a symbol but I don't want to admit to them I don't know how this was done.

    if it is just repeated symbols as Ton suggested, though it isn't especially complicated, it wouldn't be something you'd expect an Illustrator user to automatically know. there shouldn't be a problem with asking to be sure.

    Legend
    November 16, 2017

    tvshrine  wrote

    I have a new job ... I don't want to admit to them I don't know how this was done.

    A bit off the subject of what is being asked, but:

    This would be a big problem for me if a new employee would not admit to not knowing how we accomplished something.

    Especially if they, as a result of not wanting to admit what they do not know, fumbled along and made up a way to do it that is incompatible with our current practices. In doing that, they have created an issue the next time someone else tries to change the file.

    I'd much rather have someone come to me and ask -- no one expects a new employee to know everything.

    Myra Ferguson
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 16, 2017

    I can understand the feeling of uncertainty in a new job--especially in this economy. TVShrine, I hope your job environment becomes increasingly more comfortable where you can feel free to ask questions there. In the meantime, kudos for bringing your question here to the Forums

    Raghuveer_Singh
    Inspiring
    November 16, 2017

    As suggested above by TON, just copy paste the created symbol on to the other artboards and then edit the symbol in the "Symbols" panel to modify all the related symbol in the document.

    You have to use the symbol panel for this.

    With Best Regards,

    Raghuveer Singh

    Illustrator Team

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 15, 2017

    You can probably double click the Symbol on the first artboard to make changes and see them in the second artboard.

    I recommand reading the help file:

    How to work with symbols in Illustrator

    tvshrineAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    November 16, 2017

    Thanks but actually I was looking for how they set it up to link to the other labels not how to change them. 

    Ton Frederiks
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    November 16, 2017

    They probably create the label on the first artboard, make it a symbol and drag that symbol multiple times on the other artboard.

    Did you read the help file?