How to Import a Component Into Altium Designer

The fastest way to import a component into Altium

To import a component into Altium Designer, open the Libraries panel on the right side of the screen, right-click in the Components section, and select Add Component. If you are importing from an external file (a .SchLib or .PcbLib file), use File > Open instead, then copy the component from that library into your active project library. The method depends on whether the component already exists in a library file you have, or whether you are building it from scratch.

Most of the time, you will be importing a pre-made component from a library file that someone else created or that came with a manufacturer's footprint package. Altium stores components in library files, not as individual objects, so importing really means opening that library file and copying the component into your workspace.

Key Takeaways

Components in Altium live inside library files (.SchLib for schematic symbols, .PcbLib for PCB footprints), so importing means opening the library file and copying the component out.
Use File > Open to load an external library file, then drag the component into your project library or copy it directly into your schematic.
The Integrated Library (.IntLib) file bundles schematic symbols and PCB footprints together, which is the easiest format to work with if you have one.
If a component is missing a footprint link, you will need to manually assign the PCB footprint to the schematic symbol before you can use it on a board.
Altium's built-in component search (Ctrl+G in the schematic editor) can find components in any open library without needing to import them first.

Opening a library file to access components

The first step is to locate the library file that contains the component you need. Library files come in three main types: .SchLib (schematic symbols only), .PcbLib (PCB footprints only), and .IntLib (both together). If someone gave you a component file, check the file extension to know what you are working with.

Open the library file by going to File > Open and selecting the .SchLib, .PcbLib, or .IntLib file from your computer. Altium will display the library in a new tab at the top of the editor window. You will see a list of all components stored in that library. If the library is large, use the search box at the top of the Components panel to find the specific component by name.

Once the library is open, you can see every component it contains. Do not close this tab yet — you will need it open to copy the component into your project.

Copying a component into your project library

With the library file open, locate the component you need in the Components panel. Right-click on the component name and select Copy. Then switch to your project library tab (usually labeled with your project name or "Schematic Library" if you created a new one).

In your project library tab, right-click in the Components panel and select Paste. The component will now appear in your project library and is ready to use. If you are working in a schematic file directly, you can also drag the component from the open library panel straight onto your schematic canvas instead of copying it to the project library first.

If you do not have a project library yet, create one by going to File > New > Schematic Library. Save it with a name like "MyComponents.SchLib" so you can find it later. This becomes your personal library where you store components you use often.

Linking schematic symbols to PCB footprints

A complete component in Altium has two parts: a schematic symbol (what you draw on the circuit diagram) and a PCB footprint (the physical shape on the circuit board). If you imported only a schematic symbol, you will need to link it to a footprint before you can design a PCB.

Open the component in the schematic library editor by double-clicking it. In the Properties panel on the right, find the PCB Footprint field. Click the button next to it (usually three dots) to open the footprint browser. Search for the correct footprint by the component's package type — for example, "SOT23" for a small transistor or "0805" for a resistor. Select the footprint and click OK.

If the footprint you need is not in Altium's built-in library, you may need to import the footprint file separately. Download the .PcbLib file from the manufacturer or a library source, open it using File > Open, and then link it the same way. Save your schematic library after making the link so the connection is stored.

Using Integrated Libraries for faster imports

An Integrated Library (.IntLib file) contains both schematic symbols and PCB footprints in one file, with the links already made. If someone gives you an .IntLib file, the import process is simpler: just open it with File > Open, find your component, and drag it onto your schematic. Altium will automatically include both the symbol and the footprint.

Many manufacturers and library providers distribute components as .IntLib files for this reason. If you have a choice between importing from separate .SchLib and .PcbLib files or from a single .IntLib, the .IntLib is almost always faster because you skip the footprint-linking step.

You can also create your own .IntLib file if you have a collection of components you use regularly. In the Libraries panel, right-click your project library and select Create Integrated Library. Altium will bundle your schematic symbols with their linked footprints into a single .IntLib file that you can share or reuse in other projects.

Finding components without importing them

If you do not want to import a component into your project library, you can search for it in any open library directly from your schematic. Press Ctrl+G (or Cmd+G on Mac) to open the Component Search dialog. Type the component name and Altium will find it in any library file you have open or installed. Click the result and Altium will place it on your schematic without copying it to your project library.

This method is useful if you are using a large manufacturer library (like one from Texas Instruments or STMicroelectronics) and do not want to clutter your project with copies of components. The component stays linked to the original library file, so if the library is updated, your schematic can reflect those changes.

Troubleshooting common import problems

If you cannot find a component after opening a library file, check that the library is actually open by looking at the tabs at the top of the editor. If the library tab is not there, the file did not open — try File > Open again and make sure you selected the correct file.

If a component appears in the library but will not paste into your project, check that your project library tab is active (click on it to select it). You cannot paste into a read-only library or a library that is locked. If the paste option is grayed out, right-click the library name in the Projects panel and make sure Read Only is not checked.

If you imported a schematic symbol but it has no footprint assigned, the symbol will show a warning when you try to create a PCB. Go back to the symbol in your library, open its properties, and assign a footprint as described in the "Linking schematic symbols to PCB footprints" section above. Save the library and the warning should clear.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a component from a PDF or image file?

No. Altium components must be in a library file format (.SchLib, .PcbLib, or .IntLib). If you only have a PDF or image, you will need to create the component manually by drawing the schematic symbol and PCB footprint yourself, or find the component in a digital library. Many manufacturers provide library files on their websites.

What if the component I need is not in any library I have?

Search for the component on manufacturer websites (Texas Instruments, STMicroelectronics, NXP, etc.) — most provide free library files. You can also search Altium's online component database or third-party libraries like SnapEDA. Download the .IntLib or .SchLib file and open it as described above.

Do I need to import every component I use, or can I use them from the library directly?

You can use components directly from an open library without importing them. Press Ctrl+G to search and place components from any open library. Importing into your project library is useful if you want to modify the component, keep a personal collection, or ensure the component stays with your project file.

Can I import a component that is already in another Altium project?

Yes. Open the other project's library file (File > Open), find the component, copy it, and paste it into your current project library. You can also open both projects at the same time and drag components between their library tabs.

What happens if I import a component but the footprint library is not installed?

Altium will show a warning that the footprint is missing. The schematic will still work, but you cannot create a PCB until you install the footprint library or assign a different footprint. Download the missing .PcbLib file and open it, then re-link the component to the correct footprint.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.