Xcode - How to Show the Object Library

When you want to add an object in the storyboard, you first need to open the Object Library and then drag and drop from there.

In Xcode 9 and earlier, the Object Library could be opened at the bottom of the Utilities area on the right, but starting with Xcode 10, that option disappeared.

At the time of writing this article, the current version is Xcode 11.0. Since it's been a while since the Object Library was removed from the Utilities area, many of you may already know this, but just in case you're wondering “Wait, where did it go?”, here are three ways to open the Object Library.

** These three methods are still valid with Xcode 16.4.

Method 1: Open the Object Library

One of the easiest and most frequently used ways to open the library in Xcode is by using a keyboard shortcut.

The shortcut key to display the Library popup window is ⇧ Shift + ⌘ Command + L.

If the Object Library is not showing, click the icon on the far left with a square inside a circle.

Method 2: Open the Object Library from the Menu

The second method is to open the Object Library from the menu.

From the Xcode [View] menu, select [Show Library] and the Library popup window will appear.

Method 3: Open the Object Library from the Toolbar

The last method is to open the Library popup from the button in the upper-right corner of Xcode.

In Xcode 9, there was a button with a “square inside a circle” icon located in the middle of the Utilities area. Clicking it would display the Object Library below.

In Xcode 10, that button was removed, and many developers were puzzled, but the “square inside a circle” icon was moved to the toolbar.

Then, starting in Xcode 11, the toolbar button was changed to a plus (+) icon. It really changes often!

Clicking this plus button will display the Library popup window.