"Apply to All" checkbox or "Replace All" button are missing AGAIN
Apply to All option for missing/replacing links is missing again in version 28.5. Now instead of being able to click that and replace all links I know have to do the relink step up to 30 times every print file.

Hello all,
The 'Apply to all' checkbox has been brought back in the Replace missing link dialogue.
'Apply to all' checkbox was removed when we introduced the 'Auto-relink' (search for missing links in this folder) functionality, as we though 'auto-relink' is going to take care of the 'replace all' workflow as well. But it didn't work as expected in few cases as pointed out by some of you.
Hence, with the latest release V29.2 (full roll out happens on Jan 9), we have decided to revert to the earlier experience whereby we are bringing back 'apply to all' checkbox and rolling back the 'auto-relink functionality.
Because of conflicts, both of these functionality cannot co-exist unless we make some significant changes to the relinking experience.
As we understand, 'replace all' was a important workflow for most of you, so we decided to quickly bring it back while working on the overall link panel revamp which is going to take sometime.
Thanks
Saurav Agrawal
Product Manager
Adobe Illustrator
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Ton commented
Mark, there is another feature request for that: https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657-illustrator-desktop-feature-requests/suggestions/44515704-improved-links-panel-with-relink-all
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Mark Chambers commented
Ton, thank you for the screenshot. Yes, I have that checkbox. I thought this discussion was about relinking missing content via the Links panel. I’d most prefer to have the “replace all” option there, where I can see an overview of the missing files.
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Ton commented
Mark, which version do you use? It shows the Apply to All option when you open a file with missing links.
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Mark Chambers commented
It’s missing for me in macOS.
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JoeSo commented
Hello, it's still working on windows 11 pro
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Taryn Cassell commented
I just downloaded the latest version (29.7.1) and it seems to still be working fine for me, the dialog box pops up and allows me to select "replace all" and it works the way I expect it to. On Windows 11.
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@AUSA Design, I can’t reproduce it in both 29.7.1 and the latest Beta 29.9.0.6 — the option is there for me, at Windows 10.
Does anyone else have it missing? -
AUSA Design commented
Hey guys, as of the most recent updates, Adobe has removed this button AGAIN! I don't understand the thought process of removing it. It's such a handy feature when replacing multiple instances of an asset. It's back to replacing it one by one :(
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Daniella Lizmi commented
Yesssss fix please
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Ton commented
Josh, I know, but it is back now.
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Josh commented
Ton,
The Apply to All check box was removed in some versions. -
Ton commented
If the linked files are missing because the original folder has been renamed or moved, and the links are in the same folder, it works when you click Replace and select a missing file in the new location. All files are found. If the missing links are in different folders, you need to repeat the locating.
The other scenario; replace multiple copies of the same missing image with a different image works fine if you check the Apply to All checkbox that appears when opening the file, click Replace and point to whatever file you want.
This is how it works on my Mac.
But I prefer the InDesign way; controlling and replacing links from the Links panel. -
"Search for Missing Links in This Folder" was an option for me, and I’m on Windows 10 as well... Was exactly in the same position at InDesign has it in, in the right bottom corner of the Place dialog, next to the Place and Cancel buttons. Doesn’t matter though, it’s gone now.
As for the relinking... again, works for me.
Here is what I do to check it:
1. I create a folder '1' and put three PNGs there
2. I link all three into a document
3. I relink the folder into '2'
4. Ai throws me a warning, 'some files are missing or modified, wanna update' — I chose Yes
5. It fails to find the link and offers to Replace or Ignore — I enable 'Apply to All', click 'Replace'
6. I locate the folder in the Replace dialog opened, choose no file and just click another 'Replace'
All three images get relinked.In case you want to replace several copies of the same image (or even different image) with another image at once...
Well, this is one of reasons this whole story with options being messed with happened in the first place.
There is a separate request for this, 'Relink / replace all instances of the same image at once' — http://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/333657/suggestions/34174264InDesign treats copies of the same image as duplicates.
Illustrator does not. And 'Replace All' is just a controversial name for the command in this case, and different users expect different results because of this.Maddening, for sure!
Luckily for us, there are TWO FREE scripts we can use to avoid clicking the Replace button 154 times:
1. Fast Relink by Marat Shagiev: https://github.com/dumbm1/ai_scripts/blob/master/jsx/fast_relink.jsx
2. Relink All Selected by Carlos Canto and the community: https://community.adobe.com/t5/illustrator-discussions/relink-all-selected/td-p/9332967These were mentioned several times in comments below.
Please use them to save time!
Running scripts is easy — you can just drag-n-drop it in the Ai window, that’s it.
At least the team is now FULLY aware of the problem and all the uses we mean to have. -
Anonymous commented
lol, sorry I spoke to soon, it doesn't work like it use to, you still have to do them one by one, It will only relink the ones with the same name instead of you just clicking one missing link and it automatically adding the others. at this point they are just f*cking with us.
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Anonymous commented
HOLY **** they finally added the "apply to all" option back... well for now until they remove it again. I guess they finally realized the "Search for Missing Links in This Folder" option they keep referring use to doesn't exists on all operating systems, Im on windows 10 and it was never an option.
I find this out after spending an 30mins relinking 154 images one by one that there was a new update out...
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Josh commented
Scott you DO need to change the file names if your production environment or situation requires you to keep the initial iteration in the folder. It is easier to just quick add a letter or symbol to your file name quick than it is to make a folder, name it whatever and drag the file in. Either way you shouldn't have to do either options, it should just be a feature.
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Scott Tofte commented
RV999-You don't need to change any file names. Any file you want Illustrator not to find can go into a seperate folder. When the original layout is opened, it will ask for the missing files.
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Josh commented
Agree with RV999. Why doesn't this feature exist when using the Relink option? Such a silly work around you have to do just to relink a bulk amount of images.
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Preprensa 3 Contartese commented
Muchas gracias!!!
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Trevor ODell commented
Thank you Adobe !! Now we can all move on with our lives