Add a menu item to context menu (right click menu) in Adobe Illustrator

[Nikhil Bhojwani]

Hi everyone,

I'm trying to add a custom menu item to the context menu (right-click menu) in Adobe Illustrator. I'm wondering if anyone knows if this is possible using either the Adobe Illustrator SDK or ExtendScript, or any other method? If so, could you please share some guidance or resources on how to achieve this?

Thank you!

[A. Patterson · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, no, there is no way to add menuitems to the Adobe context menus. If you have your panel where you control the UI, yes, but otherwise no.

[Nikhil Bhojwani]

Thanks for the quick response, I appreciate it.

Just to confirm, but we can add Menu Items to the Adobe File Menu Drop Down, right ?

[A. Patterson]

Yes, you can pretty much add a menuitem anywhere in the application menu system. I'm not sure if there are any off-limit spots, but I don't think so.

[Nikhil Bhojwani]

Thank you

[Rick E Johnson]

I've been asking for this too for over 20 years now! I see Astute Graphics has implemented something that appears to use annotations to draw widgets near the cursor when a certain tool is active. That's a brilliant workaround.

Regular menu items are pretty easy to add, including heirarchical menus, pretty much anywhere in the main menu system. Panel flyout menus are also easy to add and use. I agree with you, though, it helps productivity when all the UI you need is in the area you're already looking. Having to take your eyes off your work to search around the screen and then fumble with the mouse takes time and breaks a user's continuity. That time adds up, and custom items in the contextual menu could really help.

[Nikhil Bhojwani · Accepted solution]

Hey, thanks for the response.

I have requested for this feature, please go ahead and vote for it.

Link: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/466...

[Charu Rajput]

@Nikhil Bhojwani - You can request the feature here  https://illustrator.uservoice.com/

If you alreday requested, please share the link so that we can add vote for this feature.

[Nikhil Bhojwani]

This is the link, please go ahead and vote for the feature.

Link: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/466...

Thank you.

[Rick E Johnson]

I requested this, too, but never got confirmation that the request was approved. Here it is: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/466...

I wonder if now the votes will be divided between the two, making it seem half as popular as it is...

[Nikhil Bhojwani]

That is true, just let me know if you want me to take down mine. 🙂
And maybe while you are at it, you can edit your title and make it a little simple to understand for people who are new to extension development. 

[Rick E Johnson]

I don't see a way to edit the request. 😞

I asked there if there's a way to link or combine the two. In the meantime, it would probably help if people voted for both to make sure we're heard.

[Nikhil Bhojwani]

I have asked there too, let's hope for the best. 🙂

[eliana@M]

Hi there,

Yes, you can add a custom menu item to the context menu in Adobe Illustrator using the Illustrator SDK or ExtendScript. For the SDK, set up your environment, create a plugin using AIUIMenu suite, implement the functionality, and deploy it in the Plug-ins folder. For ExtendScript, you can use something like:

javascript

var myMenuItem = app.menus.addMenuItem("myCustomMenuItem", "My Custom Item"); myMenuItem.onSelect = function() { alert("Custom menu item clicked!"); };

Save and run the script via File > Scripts > Other Script. For more details, check the Adobe SDK Guide and ExtendScript API. For an example of a well-organized menu, visit nandomenus.co.uk.