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sewer_urchin
Participant
July 29, 2011
Answered

Delete missing link from AI file

  • July 29, 2011
  • 12 replies
  • 73200 views

How do I delete a missing, unwanted linked file from an AI file? The referenced link is completely gone and is not needed. It can't be relinked or removed since it no longer exists. It is has been a phantom for as long as I have been using the AI file and I would like to clear the "Could not find the linked file" pop up every time I load the AI file. Any suggestions?

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer joannek836

      there is another way to clear the unwanted or missing that is no longer needed in AI.

      1. Select the missing/unwanted link from the link window then select 'Go To Link'(second button from the left)and it will show you where is the location of the missing link.

      2. Then go to edit and then select 'clear'

      then it will clear up the missing/unwanted link from your link window.

      12 replies

      Show previous replies
      Y
      yo_paisan
      Participant
      August 31, 2011

      Looks like what you have to do is find the layer that the objects are linked to and trash the layers...  They may be on layers you're not using or have turned off so you have to check them all...

      C
      CEE-2
      Participant
      February 21, 2024

      Thank you yo-paisan! This is where the problem is. 

      I
      idoks
      Known Participant
      February 22, 2024

      It's so funny to me that people still comment on this thread. 2011 is when it started, and yet this error still exists. While it's a common sight on Adobe's apps, in this case it's not because an unresolved bug, it is because it's fundemantle part of the system, and a very flawed one. Links breaks, this is a truth Adobe never really cared about, or at least cared too little down the line. The truth is this very bug, that ruined me months of work, is the reason why I left Adobe for good. After more than a decade of work with it and countless escalations support cases to the highest levels, that was the last straw. In 2020 I moved to Affinity Designer and never looked back. There, like on all modern software, there are no links to files. Just files as part of the main file or package. It's the only logical way to work, and it has been for a long time. The only thing Adobe is good for is Firefly, that is not even related to Illustrator. I can't recommend it enough: Affinity. Do yourself a favor and move, just a little time to get used to it and you'll thank me. It saved my sanity and work, it can do the same to you.

      _scott__
      _scott__
      Legend
      July 29, 2011

      Is it present in the Links Panel? Drag it to the trash icon on the panel.

        S
        sewer_urchinAuthor
        Participant
        July 30, 2011

        There isn't any trash icon in the panel window. Only four options are available: relink, go to link, update link and edit original and only the first two are active.

          _scott__
          _scott__
          Legend
          July 30, 2011

          Okay... click the second from the left button.. that will take you tot he place on the artboard where the linked file is. Then you can select and delete it.

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