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M
mihailmikov
Participant
August 12, 2020
Answered

Cannot open a FrameMaker 15 file in FrameMaker 12 ASAP

  • August 12, 2020
  • 5 replies
  • 821 views

Hi, 

 

I had to do some work while I was on vacation but didn't have my work PC so I opted to download a trial version of FM15 and asked a co-worker to send over the files I needed. 

 

Now, back at the office I cannot open the .book created in FM15 in my purchased version of FM12. 

 

The options I tried were to Save as: Document2019 (.*fm), MIF 2020 (*.mif) and MIF 7.0 (*.mif)

 

For each, when I attempt to open in FM12 I get this error message: "Although [this file] appears to be a FrameMaker document, it can't be opened with this release of the product."

 

Please help 🙂 I'm going on maternity leave on Friday and can't leave my replacement with this mess 🙂 

 

I am sure there must be a way to bipass this because when we receive documents from our translators, I often see a message stating that the document was prepared in a newer version of FM and that some features may not be available or something of the sort. 

 

Thank you to anyone who may have any suggestions! 

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Jeff_Coatsworth

So it seems that the issue was that the Save As MIF didn't get the .mif extension on the file (which then prompted the issue in FM2015 when it tried to open it).

5 replies

M
mihailmikovAuthor
Participant
August 12, 2020

Yes thank you so much - Saving as .mif solved the issue. 

Jeff_Coatsworth
Community Expert
Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 12, 2020

So it seems that the issue was that the Save As MIF didn't get the .mif extension on the file (which then prompted the issue in FM2015 when it tried to open it).

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 12, 2020

    As I said, the MIF7 version should have worked fine (all the way back to FM7), but maybe there is a bug in FM2020 with .mif creation (FM2020 is brand new). Have you tried running any patch on it & saving again? Would you like to send one of the .mif files to me to see if I can open it? Send me a PM if you'd like to try that. 

    M
    mihailmikovAuthor
    Participant
    August 12, 2020

    Aw you're too kind! Yes I will send, thank you so much for investing some time into my little dilemma. It is much appreciated.

     

    And no @ patch - wouldn't be too familiar with that but I imagine I could find some information on how to do so 🙂 

    Jeff_Coatsworth
    Community Expert
    Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    August 12, 2020

    Another question about versions - were you using FM2015 or the new version FM2020?

      M
      mihailmikovAuthor
      Participant
      August 12, 2020

      Originally it was a FM2015, then I opened it in FM2020 to make the modifications and now need it to be opened by FM2015 again. 

      Jeff_Coatsworth
      Community Expert
      Jeff_CoatsworthCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      August 12, 2020

      The MIF (7.0) one should have worked no problem - did you have a look at the .mif file after creating it? You should be able to open it with Notepad and see the contents (not that they'll make much sense).

        M
        mihailmikovAuthor
        Participant
        August 12, 2020

        Yes I tried opening it and got the same error, I'll try again.

         

        Update: I can open in Notepad to see the gibberish but get the same error message in FM2015 when I attempt to open. The one that states that it can't be opened with this release of the product.

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