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Converting big file to older version of InDesign

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
December 17, 2019
6 replies
26607 views

Hello,

Here is my issue:

I was working with big InDesign file. It is product Catalogue (>600MB and >200pages).
I worked on InDesign 2020 version, but now I need to downgrade to 2018 (as I have preset license for this version of Adobe).

When I try to open the 2020 project with InDesign 2018 it says that the file must be converted. It takes really long time to convert it to half and then it all crashes and the message pops up: "Unable to convert *name_of_the_file* to InDesign Markup Language (IDML)". I also tried saving the file as .idml from InDesign 2020 point but then the file was only ~60MB and didn't open.

Can someone please help me or explain why does it keep happening?

Correct answer Barb Binder

The way to open a file made in a newer version of InDesign in an older version of InDesign is to convert it to IDML.

If that just won't happen because of the file size, I would recommend downloading the trial version of 2020 on a different computer (or locate someone who can help you on 2020, or license it yourself for a month) then break the file into smaller files and save each of the files into IDML

~Barb

Geоrge

Legend

To find a page that kills your idml-export you're need to use it half-blade method

See my post here - https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/error-background-pdf/m-p/10674245

Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner

BobLevine

Community Expert

600 MB INDD to 60 MB IDML sounds about right. And IDML file is basically instructions for InDesign to recreate the file. There are no images or previews.

But I'll echo what others have asked. What is the "preset license" you're referring to.

@mj

Community Expert

Hi,

I'm going to work from top down in your message.

Creative Cloud is a subscription license as you probably know. Which gives you access to the latest version. Could you help us understand what you mean by preset license? My understanding is that you should have access to 2020.
600Mb to 60Mb file - I would agree with datap6156868, check to see if you links are embedded and unembed them.
On savinf to IDML, here is Adobe's checklist. https://helpx.adobe.com/in/indesign/using/saving-documents.html#save_backwards_to_the_previous_indesign_version

Hope you get sorted.

S

SJRiegel

Community Expert

"as I have preset license for this version of Adobe"

Not sure what this means -- as far as I know, every Creative Cloud license is good for for all versions. The only limitation would be if your operating system does not support the 2020 version.

D

datap6156868

Inspiring

Hey there, how the file size became >600MB do you have links embedded in InDesign file. If so Unembed those links and try exporting IDML.

Barb Binder

Correct answer

Community Expert

The way to open a file made in a newer version of InDesign in an older version of InDesign is to convert it to IDML.

If that just won't happen because of the file size, I would recommend downloading the trial version of 2020 on a different computer (or locate someone who can help you on 2020, or license it yourself for a month) then break the file into smaller files and save each of the files into IDML

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

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