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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

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      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...

      R
      ramblerdan
      Participant
      March 19, 2013

      I have the same problem as the OP. All I want to do is remove the links. The linked files are long gone and have no value anyway. I can't delete layers of the image, because they =are= needed. Adobe didn't see fit to put a trash can at the bottom of the links window, how do we delete the links, and only the links?

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        ramblerdan
        Participant
        September 25, 2013

        This is the method I received from Adobe:


        > After opening the file, select one of the missing linked files. Click

        > the "Linked File" hyperlink in the bar under the menu. A dialog will pop

        > up listing linked files, missing ones with a red cross. If you layer's

        > panel is open, you can go through the missing linked files by using the

        > "Go To Link" button at the bottom of that dialog, select the linked file

        > in the layer's panel and use its trashcan.

        >

        > Rinse and repeat.


        Worked for me. BTW the Illustrator file I was working on (and which I did not create) had more than 250 linked files, which I deleted one at a time according to the method. So it's clear why it would be advantageous to have a "select all broken links" / "delete all" option.

          _scott__
          _scott__
          Legend
          July 29, 2011

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

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            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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