"Can't open as a book error" in InDesign

@matthew_3199

If you can copy INDB file locally and it still throws an error - then, as @Anshul_Saini pointed out - it's corrupted.

You should never work directly on the remote drives - you can link to the resources when you place assets - but not directly on INDD / INDB files - not anymore. 

InDesign, from version 19, is extremely sensitive to the network speed - so called "lag", network latency. 

Hi @matthew_3199,

I’m sorry to hear you’re experiencing issues with opening your INDB file in InDesign. This can be frustrating, especially when you were just working with the file earlier. The error you’re encountering might be due to several factors:

1. Since the file is on your university’s server and accessed via VPN, there could be a network-related issue or file corruption. Sometimes, files saved over networks, especially when accessed via VPN, can become partially corrupted or fail to save correctly.

2. Check the file size and check it is not a shortcut or alias of that file.

3. There could be a permissions issue, especially when working on files stored on a server. Ensure that another application or user doesn’t lock the file. Also, check if you have the appropriate read/write permissions for both the server and local copies.

Here are a few things you could try:

•Restart your computer and InDesign, then try reopening the file.

•Try opening a backup version of the INDB file, if available.

•If possible, check with your IT department to ensure there are no server issues or file permissions problems.

If the issue persists, would you mind sharing the download link to the indb file, including the link files, so we can check on our end?

I hope this helps resolve the issue! Let me know if there’s anything else I can assist you with.

Best regards,
Anshul Saini