Using Symbols and Instances > Editing symbols
Editing symbolsWhen you edit a symbol, Flash updates all the instances of that symbol in the movie. You can edit the symbol in context with the other objects on the Stage using the Edit in Place command. Other objects are dimmed to distinguish them from the symbol you are editing.
You can also edit a symbol in a separate window, using the Edit in New Window command or the symbol-editing mode. Editing a symbol in a separate window lets you see both the symbol and the main Timeline at the same time.
In symbol-editing mode, the window changes from the Stage view to a view of only the symbol; a cross hair indicates the symbol's registration point. In addition, the Instance panel is dimmed, and the name of the symbol appears above the top left corner of the window, above the Timeline.
To edit a symbol in place, do one of the following:
![]() |
Double-click the instance on the Stage. |
![]() |
Select an instance of the symbol on the Stage and right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh), and choose Edit in Place from the context menu.
![]() |
To edit a symbol in a new window:
![]() |
Select an instance of the symbol on the Stage and right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh), and choose Edit in New Window from the context menu. |
![]() |
Double-click a symbol's icon in the Library window.
![]() |
To edit a symbol in symbol-editing mode, do one of the following:
![]() |
Select an instance of the symbol on the Stage and click the Edit Symbol button at the bottom of the Instance panel. |
![]() |
Select an instance of the symbol on the Stage; choose Edit > Edit Symbols, or right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) and choose Edit from the context menu. |
![]() |
Double-click the symbol in the Library window or in the Library preview window; then choose Edit from the Library Options menu, or right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) and choose Edit from the context menu. |
The symbol attached to the instance opens in symbol-editing mode. You can now edit the symbol. All instances of the symbol throughout the movie are updated to reflect your edits.
While editing a symbol, you can use any of the drawing tools, import media, or create instances of other symbols.
To exit symbol-editing mode and return to editing the movie, do one of the following:
![]() |
Choose Edit > Edit Movie. |
![]() |
Click the scene name in the upper left corner of the document window. |
![]() |
Click the Edit Scene button in the upper right corner of the document window and choose a scene from the menu.
![]() |