Symbol collections and libraries

To create a symbol library
To add a collection or library to a drawing
To delete a collection or library
To add a symbol to an existing library

The symbols that you create in a drawing are saved with the CorelDRAW file. If you want to use the symbols in other drawings or share them with other users, you can save or export them to the Corel Symbol Library (CSL) format, creating a symbol library. When you save a drawing to the Corel Symbol Library (CSL) format, all symbol instances are saved with the document. When you export a library, only the symbols are saved with the document.

The Symbols docker displays the libraries that are in the local Symbols folder. The Symbols folder is the default location for custom symbol libraries that have been exported from CorelDRAW and imported libraries that are copied locally.

The symbols that are used within the document appear under the document filename in the Symbols docker.

You can add libraries and collections (groups of library files) to your drawing. You can also delete libraries and collections.

You can add symbols to an existing library.

To create a symbol library

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1 Create the symbols you want.
2 Click File Save as.
3 Choose the drive and folder where you want to store the library.
4 Choose CSL - Corel Symbol Library from the Save as type list box.
5 Type a filename in the File name box.
6 Click Save.
All symbols and symbol instances are saved with the document.

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You can also click the name of the active document in the Symbols docker, click the Options button and then click Export library. When you export a library, only the symbols are saved with the document.

To add a collection or library to a drawing

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1 In the folder tree of the Symbols docker, click Local symbols or Network symbols.
2 Click the Options button , and click Import Library.
3 Locate and choose a collection or library.
4 Click OK.

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By default, library files are referenced from their original location. If you want to copy a library to your Symbols folder, enable the Copy libraries locally check box.

If you are adding a collection, you can enable the Recursive check box to include subfolders.

To delete a collection or library

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1 In the Symbols docker, click a collection or library.
2 Press Delete.

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The collection or library is removed from the folder tree in the Symbols docker, but files are not deleted.

To add a symbol to an existing library

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1 In the Symbols docker, right-click a symbol, and click Copy.
2 Click File Open.
3 Choose the drive and folder where the library is stored.
4 Choose CSL - Corel Symbol Library from the Files of type list box.
5 Choose the library file where you want to add a symbol.
6 Right-click in the drawing window, and click Paste.
7 Save the library file.

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The features documented in the Help are available in the full version of CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2021. Some features may not be available in this version of the product.