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c�line_0920
December 9, 2025
Question

Corrupt INDD File Recovery Request - 1.7MB - Standard fixes failed

  • December 9, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 535 views

Hi everyone,

I am facing a critical issue with a corrupted InDesign file that I cannot open.

File details:

  • Size: 1,712 KB (So data seems to be present).

  • Issue: The file crashes InDesign immediately upon opening or hangs indefinitely.

Troubleshooting steps I have already tried (without success):

  1. Resetting InDesign Preferences (Ctrl+Alt+Shift / Cmd+Opt+Ctrl+Shift).

  2. Trying to place the file into a new document.

  3. Running a "Blind Open" script to export to IDML (script fails or crashes).

  4. Changing the extension to .indt.

  5. Renaming the Links folder to force missing links.

Since the file is not 0kb, I am hoping the internal database can still be salvaged.

Could someone with Markzware tools or advanced recovery skills please take a look? I would be incredibly grateful if you could try to convert it to IDML for me.

Here is the link to the file: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1NGUaocn1pbInkaMmvQzRksmjWTPFKBOt/view

Thank you very much for your help!

1 reply

Abhishek Rao
Community Manager
Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
Community Manager
December 9, 2025

Hi @c�line_0920, 

 

Thank you for the update, and I'm sorry the file is still not opening. We'll do everything we can to help, though I can't fully guarantee recovery just yet.

Before we proceed, could you please confirm the version of InDesign in which the file was originally created, the version you are currently using to open it, and your operating system?

I appreciate you approving access to the file. I've now shared it with our product team for deeper review and will keep you updated as soon as I have more details.

Lastly, when the crash occurs, do you see the Adobe Crash Reporter window? I checked using your community email, but couldn't find any reports submitted. If you do see the reporter, please send the crash report and share the email you entered via DM, so I can locate the logs. Ref: https://adobe.ly/4pYmdh9

 

Looking forward to your reply.

Abhishek

C
c�line_0920Author
December 9, 2025

Hi, 

Thank you for replying,

I use Adobe InDesign 2020 on Windows 11 for creating and opening the file. And this the Window that show when I try to open my file :

And sorry, now the link is open to everybody.

Hope this help !

Céline

 

M
Community Expert
Manan JoshiCommunity Expert
Community Expert
December 10, 2025

I tried opening your file and to me it seems to be corrupt. What I did was open it in notepad to see the binary content and the difference between your file and other INDD file that opens is the content near the top. All the files that open has the text DOCUMENT somewhere in the first line but your does not have it. This leads me to think that you file has issues due to which InDesign is not able to recognise it.

P.S. :- This is my observation. I am in no way any expert on the binary format of INDD files

-Manan

-Manan
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