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Are you facing issues while opening or saving InDesign files? Read on to learn about the possible reasons and resolutions. System-level issues can cause errors and other unexpected behavior. Before assuming that a document is damaged, follow these steps: InDesign system messages help you determine the cause of the crash by providing a list of
problem-causing scenarios. Here are some of the scenarios and their solutions:
Insufficient system memoryInDesign cannot open the file when your system does not have enough memory (RAM) to read the file. One of the reasons for less memory can be too many applications open on your computer. Solution
Access deniedInDesign cannot open a file and displays an error message if you face any of the following access-related issues with the file:
File already openInDesign cannot open or save the file when it is already open in another version of InDesign. Solution
Input/output device issuesInDesign cannot open or save a file when the read or write process is interrupted or if the file cannot be accessed or found. Following are some scenarios that can cause interruptions to the file read or write process:
Damaged fileInDesign displays an error message when the file is found to be damaged, corrupt, or when it tries to auto-recover the file. Select a tab based on your scenario and follow the troubleshooting steps to try and recover the contents of the document. Quick check on external factors
Solution: Open a copy of the document rather than the original.When you open a document as a copy, InDesign reads from the original file and opens an untitled copy. If you can open a copy of the document, choose File > Save As, save the copy with a different name than the original document, and use the copy instead of the original document. Follow these steps to open a document as a copy:
A backup copy of the document lets you quickly restore information. Move the backup to a local drive if the document is on a network volume or removable media like a CD or jump drive. Complete the following tasks in order.
If the problem is resolved, continue to use the .idml or .inx file as a replacement of your original document. If the problem persists, move on to the next step. Force Recomposition of all the stories using the shortcut Cmd-Opt-/ on macOS and Ctrl-Alt-/ on Windows. Copying page elements into a new document leaves structural (internal) damage behind. If the problem recurs after you copy page elements into a new document, delete elements one by one to see if one of the elements is the issue. Follow these steps to copy page elements into a new document:
Styles that you created in InDesign or imported with files created in other apps could be damaged. Also, there could be some empty pages and unnecessary elements. To find out if this is the case, delete the styles, pages, and then resave your document. Follow these steps to delete Character Styles:
Follow these steps to delete Paragraph Styles:
Follow these steps to delete Pages:
If the problem recurs after you delete some pages, delete half of the remaining pages and save the document as a new name. Then try to re-create the problem.
After you determine the page that causes the problem, remove and replace elements on it, including imported graphics, InDesign-drawn objects, and text frames on the page. To determine if the problem is related to a damaged font, replace all fonts used in the document with a standard font, such as Arial or Times New Roman. If the problem recurs after you change fonts, it is not font-related. If the problem doesn't recur, the original font or fonts could be damaged or outdated. Try reinstalling the original fonts or obtaining updated versions from the font manufacturer. If all else fails, re-create the document. Make frequent backup copies, and periodically test the document to ensure that imported elements aren't causing the problem. Unexpected issuesIn addition to the above scenarios, InDesign cannot open a file and recover a file in the following cases:
SolutionWe suggest you send your files and help us investigate the issue. We're here to help!If no resolution works, share the affected file with us at . We'll investigate the issue and let you know if the recovery is possible. When you share your file(s) with us, you not only enable the Adobe team to find a solution to your problem, but also help us improve the overall user experience by identifying and resolving other similar issues. We assure that your file will strictly remain confidential and will be used only for investigation purposes. Ensure that the file you share does not include any sensitive personal information. We'll try our best to assist you, but as recovery depends on various factors, we cannot promise a permanent solution. Related resourcesTalk to usWhat programs make copies of files to be used in case the originals are lost or damaged?Backup– programs that make copies of files to beused in case the originals are lost or damaged. File compression– programs that reduce size of filesso that they require less storage space.
What is the best way to backup files?What makes a good backup? Experts recommend the 3-2-1 rule for backup: three copies of your data, two local (on different devices) and one off-site. For most people, this means the original data on your computer, a backup on an external hard drive, and another on a cloud backup service.
How often should you backup the data on your computer?Important data should be backed up at least once a week, but preferably once every twenty-four hours. These backups can be performed manually or automatically. A lot of automatic software options are available that you can set to make a backup of your data at a set time of the day or week.
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