Using Symbols and Instances > Types of symbol behavior

Types of symbol behavior

Each symbol has a unique Timeline and Stage, complete with layers. When you create a symbol, you choose how the symbol will behave, depending on how you want to use it in the movie.

Use graphic symbols for static images and to create reusable pieces of animation that are tied to the Timeline of the main movie. Graphic symbols operate in sync with the Timeline of the main movie. Interactive controls and sounds won't work in a graphic symbol's animation sequence.
Use button symbols to create interactive buttons in the movie that respond to mouse clicks or rollovers or other actions. You define the graphics associated with various button states, and then assign actions to a button instance. See Assigning actions to objects.
Use movie clip symbols to create reusable pieces of animation. Movie clips have their own multiframe Timeline that plays independent of the main movie's Timeline—think of them as mini-movies inside a main movie that can contain interactive controls, sounds, and even other movie clip instances. You can also place movie clip instances inside the Timeline of a button symbol to create animated buttons.
You can assign clip parameters (variables with values) to a movie clip to create a "smart" clip. You can also add clip actions and script the smart clip to create interface elements—such as radio buttons, pop-up menus, or tooltips—that respond to mouse clicks and other events. For more information, see ActionScript Help.

Note: Interactivity and animation in movie clip symbols do not work when you play a movie in the Flash authoring environment. To see movie clip animation and interactivity, choose Control > Test Movie or Control > Test Scene. See Previewing and testing movies.