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

Explorer ,
May 02, 2023 May 02, 2023

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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!

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Feature request , Scripting , SDK , Third party plugins , Tools

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correct answers 2 Correct answers

Guide , May 02, 2023 May 02, 2023

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.

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Explorer , May 09, 2023 May 09, 2023

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/46638691-allow-access-to-add-a-custom-menuitem-to-context-m

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Guide ,
May 02, 2023 May 02, 2023

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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.

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Explorer ,
May 02, 2023 May 02, 2023

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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 ?

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Guide ,
May 02, 2023 May 02, 2023

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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.

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Explorer ,
May 02, 2023 May 02, 2023

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Thank you

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Engaged ,
May 02, 2023 May 02, 2023

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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.

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Explorer ,
May 09, 2023 May 09, 2023

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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...

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Community Expert ,
May 03, 2023 May 03, 2023

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@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.

Best regards

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Explorer ,
May 09, 2023 May 09, 2023

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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.

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Engaged ,
May 09, 2023 May 09, 2023

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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...

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Explorer ,
May 09, 2023 May 09, 2023

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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. 

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Engaged ,
May 09, 2023 May 09, 2023

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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.

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Explorer ,
May 09, 2023 May 09, 2023

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

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New Here ,
Jun 27, 2024 Jun 27, 2024

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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.

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