Missing "Replace all" feature when updating links

[theshowe]

Updated to the current illustrator 28.5 and I am now missing the replace all when I open a file and have to replace links. 

Also when I do replace the link it doesn't find all the missing links that are in the same folder. It used to update automatically when missing files were in the same folder. 

This is very frustrating when doing press sheets with multiple files and I've used this feature frequently as I've had to use the same file as a template and update multiple images it was an easy way to change out artwork from one image to another. 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @theshowe,

Sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind trying to click on Replace and then checking the box for "Search for Missing Links in this folder" when selecting the missing file to check if it helps?


Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,
Anubhav

[theshowe]

Yes I see that feature in the links palette and that works fine.

However, the replace all feature is very useful when setting up press sheets in prepress. If I have 50 links ganged up of file Link 1 and I need to replace them all with a different version ie Link 2,  I now have to manual select each one and replace that 50 times. With the replace all feature I can just hide the original link 1 then when it asks to relink I can click replace all and relink all 50 at once.

[Ton Frederiks]

Yes the Apply to All option when selecting a different image worked fine, but that functionality is lost.

Giving the new image the same name as the old one could be a workaround.

[Bill McGinley]

That is not an acceptable solution. That would cause potentially hours more work and create file integrity issues. A much more pleasing solution would be restoring the REPLACE ALL button to its original functionality. 

[Ton Frederiks]

It is not a solution, it was suggested as workaround, like reverting to a previous Illustrator version or using InDesign, that can replace all the same linked files with another from the Links panel.

[Bill McGinley]

I appreciate the info on a workaround, however if I had to do it that, or ask others to do it I would lose confidence in the integrity of the files as there would be files created with the same name but different content. That would jeopardize my entire database of files. I would really rather not do that.

[jakec33415554]

Giving the same name to an image or a file negates job numbers in a work environment and destroys the integrity of archiving jobs.  The "Apply to All" feature MUST be brought back.  

For example, in a production environment when you're printing business cards that run 24 cards up on a 12" x 18" press sheet, updating each file 24 times is totally not acceptable.  This is a loss of time in the real world work environment.   

Common sense must play a part in updating these applications.  A fast paced and busy print shop needs certain features like the "Apply to All" feature.

[Hr_Imon3766]

i strongly support you. adobe need it brought back ASAP. "Replace all" feature mandatory right now. don't show any logic pls.

[Ryan L Eakins]

You can't give the file the same name if you have different versions and you want to create multi layouts. This is a monumental mistake that needs fixed. NOW!!!!

[Ryan L Eakins]

I have MASTER layouts I use every day. I copy and rename the document according to the project I am working on. Then after the first layout is created and saved, I duplicate it multiple times accoding to the amount of versions I have for that project. I would then move the previously placed item to a different folder to break the link and Illustrator would ask to locate this linked item. This is when you selct the next version and select "Apply to All" and you next layout is complete. Save and Close... move to the next. Now you have taken a very simple taks and made it a combersom mess. Going from seconds to link items to several minutes making this a highly unproductive way to work. 

FIX THIS NOW!!!

[Callum5E7D]

In my workplace, we work with a similar process to Ryan, step/repeats with master files, used to be easy... Now each placement has to be done separately and I've just discovered that Adobe have managed to make it even worse for linked images, select more than 1 image and it only does 1 replacement, you have to select and replace each one individually... Whoever signed off on the backwards step needs to consult with users outside of the board-room, printing is still required and Esko is too expensive for small companies

[Kyle29560121pi2y]

You've created hours of work by removing this feature. Please bring it back immediately.

[Ton Frederiks]

See this Uservoice report to vote:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/48434444-linked...

[Kyle29560121pi2y]

This is absolutely terrible.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @theshowe,

Thank you for your feedback, and I apologize for any inconvenience. Our team is actively investigating the issue and will share more information as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience during this time.

Thanks,
Anubhav

[Ryan L Eakins]

Glad to see you are on top of this... When can we expect this to be resolved?

[Dana37163074evrp]

Could you please let us know when this feature will be restored? It is greatly missed and needed for productivity.

[theshowe]

Agreed I had to workaround today. Save out for CC legacy and open in Illustrator 27.9 as it's still there. Still a pain. 

[Ton Frederiks]

It is still there in 28.4.1

[Anubhav M · Accepted solution]

Hello everyone,

Thanks for your patience. The Product Team has informed us that this was intentionally removed because of the relinking option. You can learn more about it here (https://adobe.ly/3Vs2LvE).

However, we will pass your feedback to the team. You can also upvote and share the feedback directly with the Product Team on this UserVoice: (https://adobe.ly/4emTpdg).

Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,
Anubhav

[theshowe]

Can we please have this back. Clearly it's an incredibly useful feature, especially when doing prepress. Even if it's through the link feature, which to be honest, is less useful, but would at least make it usable. 

[Monika Gause]

You need to vote in Uservoice if you want it back. That's the only place where your vote counts.

[richardesignerUK]

I just voted on Uservoice. It's only got 20 votes. 😞  

[Prepress LBX373125513n81]

Hello.
Try to change the name of the link before open the document and you will need to link all one by one! bring back "Apply to All" please!