Illustrator import options "link" is grayed out

[semibold]

I'm trying to place a pdf into an Illustrator document. It keeps automatically embedding the file instead of placing it as a link. When I click on options, "Link" is grayed . out and unavailable. I've only recently had this problem. I updated my Illustrator, hoping it would resolve the problem but it hasn't. Any advice will be appreciated.

[Srishti Bali]

Hi semibold,

Could you please confirm if it is happening with other PDFs as well?

If yes, please reset Illustrator preferences to defaults , for details click here How to set preferences in Illustrator 

Regards

Srishti

[semibold]

It was happening with any pdf I tried to import.

I reset my preferences, and the "link" option is still gray, but now when I import a pdf it will show up as a link in the links palette instead of embedded art. So at least that part of the problem is solved! thank you!

[Mike_Gondek]

What happens if you drag and drop a .pdf onto you canvas to import?

[semibold]

that works if i'm importing a 1-page pdf, but when I need to import from a multi-page pdf I need to place the file using import options, unless there's another way of doing that.

[Mike_Gondek]

What OS? Did you restart your computer?

More Thorough Reset Your Preferences.

Quit Illustrator

Finder >> Shift Command G

~/Library/Preferences/Adobe Illustrator 21 Settings/en_US*/Adobe Illustrator Prefs

rename Adobe Illustrator 21 to Adobe Illustrator 21 old

Reset Your Other Preferences

Quit Illustrator

Finder >> Shift Command G

~/Library/Application Support/Adobe/Adobe Illustrator 21/

rename Adobe Illustrator 21 to Adobe Illustrator 21 old

Press Win+R -> appdata -> Roaming -> Adobe -> rename folder Adobe Illustrator 20 (or 21) Settings to any other name.

[semibold]

I'm on a Mac, 10.12.2

I tried your suggestion about renaming the prefs to "Adobe Illustrator 21 old" and the Link box is still gray.

[Mike_Gondek]

What if you change to all readable documents. I also do not get an options button on mac OS 10.10.5 with CC 2015 or CC 2017.

[semibold]

I re-started the computer. That didn't make a difference.

Also, a screen shot showing "All Readable Documents." Still no change.

[Mike_Gondek]

does this happen only for pdfs or is link greyed out for all formats.

You can

Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

then reinstall and that shoddy clear up, unless you got something running in your OS outside of Illustrator that is causing this.

That options button might be from 10.12.2, incase anyone else is reading this and can confirm, and also test you experience with a trying to link to a pdf.

[Srishti Bali]

Hi semibold,

As suggested by Mike, you my try by reinstalling, in addition to that please check how it performs in root account?

Click here for details : How to enable the root user on your Mac - Apple Support

Regards

Srishti