Add Illustrator file with layers into another Illustrator file

[RinSoe1223]

Hi, 

Is there a way to add an illustrator file with layers into another illusrator file without losing the layers of the first file? 

I figured this could be done by 'file < place' but this will put everything in one layer.  

Is there another way to place this without losing the layers? (copy paste from one file to another is not an option)

Thanks in advance!

[Ton Frederiks]

Why is Copy > Paste with "Paste Remembers Layers" checked in the Layers panel not an option?

[RinSoe1223]

Because then I always have to open this illustrator file to paste the layers. 

I need to use this every day on multiple other files.

So to open this file and copy paste is 'a bit too much work' instead of finding a way to simply import this file and keep the layers. (also less tabs in my Illustrator.. 🙂 )

[Ton Frederiks]

I am afraid that copy/paste is the only way to keep layers.

Place embedded or drag and drop embedded will use the PDF part of the file.

[Met1]

Seeing as you don't want to open the TWO Illy files, I'm assuming your "added" file can be on a different artboard?

Save each to .pdf. Combine. You'll loose your named layers but the layers will be in separate groups, and separate artboards.

[Ratly Bonsai]

Yes, you can do it automatically by dragging and dropping the files. Then, you go to the "Properties" panel and select the option ""Embed". That way, the files are not going to be linked but directly embedded with their layers.