Show Import Options Dialogue Box Not Working

[Traci25308905c7r9]

I'm using macOS Monterey 12.6.1 and Adobe Illustrator 27.1.1. I am trying to use the import options to place a layered Photoshop file but when I go to File/Place and check the box "Show Import Options" Illustrator doesn't bring up the dialogue box for the import options. It goes directly to place the Photoshop file. The other boxes (Link and Template) are unchecked when I go to File/Place. I tried checking and unchecking all the boxes to see if that would make a difference and my computer has been restarted, also, but the import options still aren't showing up.  Any help or advice greatly appreciated!

[Monika Gause]

I'm not seeing that behaviour.

Did you already reset the preferences (this will erase all your settings. You might want to rename the preferences folder)

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Traci25308905c7r9,

Thanks for reaching out. I would like to know if resetting the preferences, as suggested by Monika, helped? If not, would you mind updating the macOS to 12.6.2 or 13.1 and see if that helps? If it doesn't, would you mind sharing the Ai & PSD files with us here or via DM with me?

Kindly update the discussion if you still need assistance with it. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini

[Traci25308905c7r9 · Accepted solution]

Hello and thanks for the suggestions - it seems like my dialogue box import options are once again working. I shut down my computer over the holiday, that seems to have done the trick. 

[Anshul_Saini]

Glad to hear you're back on track. Please feel free to reach out if you run into any other questions or issues in the future. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini

[jacob27881106sdgn]

Sorry to piggyback here... I too and having this issue now. Over the years I have used the place function 1000's of times to convert text to outlines when receiving pdf's from clients. So now today, "show import options" will not bring up the dialogue box. I then updated Illstrator to 27.1.1, restarted (windows 10 21H2) and have since reset my preferences and restarted again. Only "show import options" is checked when attempting to place the files. For this particular job, the client sent 34 pdf's and this only started today after the 26th file. What else can I try?

[Monika Gause]

Are those PDFs one or multiple pages? Exactly what happens step by step? The dialog just doesn't show? Does the file get placed?

[jacob27881106sdgn]

Hey Monika, most of them are single page. It would just skip showing the dialogue box and I would then have the chance to place, but it would be erroneuous - missing portions of the file. I have since uninstalled illustrator, deleted any remaining AI folders, restarted, reisntalled, restarted and it is now working properly again. Not sure what/where the glitch may have been and didn't think I'd have to go to such lengths for a remedy, but now back to work! Redo my preferences later!

Thanks again for replying.

[Paloma Palacio]

I've updated Illustrator, restarted the PC, and still the Import options do not work for me (FYI, using the apps' latest versions).

[Monika Gause]

Can you please tell us your version and system and what kind of file you are importing?

[Paloma Palacio]

I'm trying to import a PSD file (Photoshop 24.6) into Illustrator (27.6.1) on Windows 

[Monika Gause]

That box only appears when you embed the file.

[Paloma Palacio]

I've tried both opening and placing the PSD file in Illustrator, like it says here. But in neither of the cases the Import Options box appeared. Any idea why that is? 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Paloma Palacio,

I'm sorry to hear that you're experiencing difficulties with the Import options in Illustrator. Since you're trying to import a PSD file into Illustrator, please make sure that you have the "Show Import Options" checkbox enabled when using the "File > Place" command in Illustrator. If the Import Options dialog box is not appearing, it could be a specific issue related to your setup.

To troubleshoot the issue, I would recommend the following steps:

• Update Illustrator to v27.7
• Try importing other PSD files to see if the issue is specific to a particular file or all.
• Reset Illustrator preferences (https://helpx.adobe.com/illustrator/kb/troubleshoot-preference-issues.html)

I hope this helps, and please let me know if you have any further questions or need further assistance.

Best,

Anshul Saini

[Brian34476872ko8x]

I am having the same issue, I just opened up one PDF from my customer and the import options showed up but when I go to open the second file the import options do NOT show up. This is incredibly frustrating as I'm spending way too much time trying to figure this out. As of last week this was not a problem and I've never had this happen before in the last 10 years of using AI. What's going on?

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Brian34476872ko8x,

Sorry to hear about your experience. Would you mind sharing some more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, a sample file (https://adobe.ly/3REQ66R), and a screen recording of the problem (https://adobe.ly/3RFXwGR), so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[Estuardo Ramos]

I am having the same issue. I resetted my preferences and did not work. I am using Illustrator 29.2.1.

Is very anoying that Adobe does not take care of this details, I rather having stable versions with delayed updates, than dealing with fail versions that required resetting your preferences very oftenly.

[Anubhav M]

Hello @Estuardo32613217m79l,

I tried replicating this behavior but could not. Would you mind sharing more details, like the exact version of the OS, whether Illustrator behaves this way with all files, and screenshots of the problem, so I can better assist you?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

[mr.soul216]

I am currently having the same issue and cana't fidn the fix. I have updated to the most recent version of Adobe Illustrator, restarted the computer and am still not getting the Import Options dialog box.

[Monika Gause]

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@mr.soul216  schrieb:

I am currently having the same issue and cana't fidn the fix. I have updated to the most recent version of Adobe Illustrator, restarted the computer and am still not getting the Import Options dialog box.

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What kind of file are you importing?

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @mr.soul216,

Thanks for reaching out, and I'm sorry to hear you're still experiencing this issue!

To help you better, could you please let us know:

1. What kind of file are you trying to import (e.g., PSD, PDF, TIFF)?

2. Are you using File > Place with the "Show Import Options" box checked?

3. What version of macOS/Windows and Illustrator are you currently using?

4. Does this happen with all files or just a specific one?

Let us know these details, and we'll help you get it sorted!

Abhishek

[mr.soul216]

1. I'm placing a PSD file with different layer comps

2. Yes

3. MacOS 15.4.1

4. It seems to be very inconsistent. Some files will open the Import Options dialog box, others won't.

I've restarted, shut down and started up the computer several times and still no fix. I'm also using the latest Illustrator update (it was happening before the update as well).

[Anubhav M]

Hello @mr.soul216,

Thanks for confirming. Are there some specific files with which you consistently do not get the Show Import option? If yes, please share a link to a sample file after uploading it to a file-sharing service so I can check it on my end.

Looking forward to hearing from you.
Anubhav