Locate and link offline files

Last updated on Jun 23, 2025

Learn how to link an offline clip to a source file in Premiere Pro.

When you open a project with missing media files, the Link Media dialog box gives you visibility into files that have broken links and help you locate and link your files.

The Link Media dialog box displays the clip name used in the project, as well as the linked filename of the media. It also displays the complete path of folders that stored the offline media.

  1. Select one or more offline clips in the Project panel.

  2. Select File > Link Media.

    The Link Media dialog box is open with options to match file properties like File Name, File Extension, Media Start, and Tape Name.  Depending on how you want to handle the offline files, you can specify the required search criteria and Match File Properties.
    When you open a project containing offline media, the Link Media workflow lets bring it back online for your project.

  3. Depending on how you want to handle the offline files, you can specify the required search criteria and Match File Properties.

Match File Properties

To help effectively locate missing media, you can select properties like File Name, File Extension, Media Start, and Tape Name. You can also select metadata properties like Description, Scene, Shot, and Log Note.

When you select Locate, the Locate File dialog box displays matches depending on the selected Match File Properties. Therefore, to match and link media, you must select at least one property under Match File Properties.

Note:

The combination of Match File Properties that you select should uniquely identify each media file from the set of files being relinked.

You’ll be able to relink the offline clip to the source file and begin working on your project.