Organize and reuse color swatches

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to use color groups and Adobe Swatch Exchange (ASE) files to organize swatches and share them across projects and apps in Adobe InDesign.

Organize color swatches to streamline workflows and maintain design consistency. Use color groups in the Swatches panel to sort swatches by project or purpose. Use ASE files to share colors across InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

Save swatches as ASE files

Select Window > Color > Swatches.

Select the swatch or group to export.

Select the panel menu   icon, then choose Save Swatches.

Choose a location, enter a file name, and select Save.

Load swatches from ASE files

Select Window > Color > Swatches.

Select the panel menu   icon, then choose Load Swatches.

Browse to the ASE file, select it, and select Open.