Screenshots Turn Blank in AI File – What Am I Doing Wrong?

[WSA508]

Hi, I need help. I'm saving my files using "Save As" in Adobe Illustrator with the ".ai" format. I'm also bringing in screenshots from my laptop into the file. However, after I save them, all the screenshots appear blank, and I can’t access or view them again. What am I doing wrong? thank you so much in advance 🙂

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @WSA508,

Thanks for reaching out, and I totally get how frustrating it must be to find your screenshots turning blank after saving the file.

From the screenshot you shared, it looks like the images might be linked to a cloud library rather than embedded directly into the Illustrator file. When screenshots are only linked and not embedded, they can go missing or appear blank, especially if the source location isn't accessible later.

To fix this, I recommend embedding the screenshots into the file before saving. After placing your screenshot into Illustrator, select it, then go to the "Links" panel (Window > Links), click the menu icon in the panel, and choose "Embed Image(s)." This ensures the screenshot becomes part of the file and doesn't go missing later.

If you're still seeing the issue after doing this, please let me know the version of Illustrator you're using and your operating system. Also, if possible, share whether the screenshots were pasted directly from a screenshot tool or dragged in as files. 

Looking forward to your update!

Abhishek 

[WSA508]

Hi Abhishek,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond — I truly appreciate it and am very grateful!

Just to clarify, I’ve been taking screenshots, copying them using Command-C on my MacBook to the clipboard, and then pasting them directly into Adobe Illustrator with Command-V. So far, the screenshots are still saved on my system afterward. I just wanted to check — is this method okay to use?

Going through File > Paste for every screenshot can be quite time-consuming, so this way has been a real time-saver for me. Thanks again for all your help!

[Ton Frederiks]

Looks like this:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447/suggestions/49703918

[Ton Frederiks]

Currently File > Place is the safest way (instead of drag & drop).

[WSA508]

Hi Ton Frederiks,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond — I truly appreciate it and am very grateful!

Just to clarify, I’ve been taking screenshots, copying them using Command-C on my MacBook to the clipboard, and then pasting them directly into Adobe Illustrator with Command-V. So far, the screenshots are still saved on my system afterward. I just wanted to check — is this method okay to use?

Going through File > Paste for every screenshot can be quite time-consuming, so this way has been a real time-saver for me. Thanks again for all your help!

[Ton Frederiks]

" I’ve been taking screenshots, copying them using Command-C on my MacBook to the clipboard, and then pasting them directly into Adobe Illustrator with Command-V."

Do you open them in Photoshop before copying?

Copy/Paste from Photoshop seems to work, dragging a layer with transparency from Photoshop will make it disappear after Saving/Re-opening.