Swatches are a convenient way to keep track of the colors in your document.

Using a color that is not on your document

  1. Make sure the swatch window is open by selecting Window > Swatches.
  2. Make sure you do not have anything selected in your document, or you’ll accidentally change its color.
  3. Hold down the shift key and click the color box on bar near the top of the screen, the control panel.
  4. Select the color you’d like. When you’re done, press enter.
  5. Make sure the color you’d like to save is in front on the color tool (fill vs stroke).
  6. Click the New Swatch button near the bottom of the swatch window, or use the drop-down menu at the upper right-hand corner of the swatch window to select New Swatch....
  7. Name your color.
  8. Click OK, and your swatch will appear at the end of the list.