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lauraf2110769
Participant
June 27, 2018
Answered

Crash when synchronizing book styles

  • June 27, 2018
  • 7 replies
  • 2082 views

I have a four chapter book (about 80 pages) and every time I try to sync styles InDesign crashes. It worked fine yesterday, but today I made some changes and now every time I click the sync button in the book menu (Synchronize styles and swatches with the Style Source); instant crash. I've tried with all the chapters open and saved, only the style source open, restarted, deleted and re-added the chapters, etc. Thoughts?

Correct answer Harín

Same problem "resolved" by unchecking the sychronization of the TOC styles on the sync options

7 replies

A
alexisn51061934
Participant
November 25, 2024

Hi Laura

 

I had the same issue - since updating to InDesign 2025 - InDesign would crash when I synch a book.  After some digging, for me the issue was that I had InCopy in the Parent Pages of the document I was synching to.  Removing the InCopy from the parent solved the problem for me.  (This used to be fine with InDesign 2024 but not for 2025.). If this is also your issue, this may help.

Regards,

Alexis

H
HarínCorrect answer
Participant
March 30, 2025

Same problem "resolved" by unchecking the sychronization of the TOC styles on the sync options

    T
    terese_0590
    Participant
    July 1, 2025

    This absolutely worked for me! Thank you!!! [in the Book Menu (hamburger) click on Sychronize Options... Then UNSELECT (under Styles and Swatches) TOC Styles - click OK).

    K
    Kevin McKee KJM Projects
    Participating Frequently
    September 25, 2024

    I have been using the book function for ages and I have never had this problem, until now. This function is one of the main reasons I use InDesign as I compile manuscripts for various companies, if this isn't corrected without me having to jump through hoops and workarounds, I am going to have to find another suite of products that can fulfil my needs and that work properly without any fuss. I don't see why I have to pay for a professional product that doesn't work!

     

     

    Abhishek Rao
    Community Manager
    Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    September 25, 2024

    Hi @Kevin McKee KJM Projects,

     

    I'm really sorry to hear about the trouble you're facing with the book sync function. I understand how frustrating it is, especially when it’s a key part of your workflow. A common fix is to export the InDesign files in your book to IDML format, then reopen them and save with new names. After that, create a new book file and try syncing again. This often resolves such crashes. 

     

    Let me know if this helps or if you're still having trouble!

     

    Thanks, 

    Abhishek Rao

    K
    Kevin McKee KJM Projects
    Participating Frequently
    September 25, 2024

    Hi Abhishek - thank you - I did all that - and no go - it still crashes on the first attempt at syncing

     

    K
    Kathleen23281091htrp
    Participant
    October 14, 2022

    This procedure does not work. I also keep having this issue on a document for a client. This is unacceptable. 

    U
    Uwe26630984mjrg
    Participating Frequently
    October 17, 2022

    Hi @Kathleen23281091htrp ,

    what did you do exactly?

    Did you export all doucments in the InDesign book file to IDML?

    Did you save every IDML file as new document?

    Did you do a new InDesign book file and loaded the converted documents to that book file?

     

    Regards,
    Uwe Laubender
    ( Adobe Community Expert )

      L
      Community Expert
      LaubenderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 30, 2020

      No, I have no better solution.

      Other than putting all pages into one big InDesign document.

       

      I still have no idea what's the real cause of the synching bug that leads to crashes.

       

      Regards,
      Uwe Laubender

      ( ACP )

      G
      GalacticGorilla
      Participant
      June 30, 2020

      Hi,

       

       

       

      I'm having the exact same problem, and I don't want to change it to an IDML file.

       

      This ultimately needs to be an EPUB file and I don't want to he has a bunch of wacky file extensions when I have to verify this through so many different programs.

       

      UPDATE: I transfered everything to IDML file, and it will export to reflowable epub. 

      The problem is that IDML files can only be saved one time. If i resave, it makes a new file. This is a 450 page project. I need to save and check hundreds of times. This solution is will not work. 

       

      Im sure you are thinking "Create the entire file, THEN do the IDML conversion on your Very LAST save."

       

      NO- I cant do this huge project that will take months on the off chance that that MAY possibly work. This file neeeds to be parsed by half a dozen diferent epub hosting sites with different file standards.  

       

      This solution is untenable. Does anyone have any better solutions?

       

      Thanks for your time. 

       

       

      Srishti Bali
      Community Manager
      Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
      Community Manager
      June 30, 2018

      Hi Laura,

      We are very sorry you run into this issue. We would like to know if the steps suggested by Uwe worked for you, or the issue still persists.

      Kindly update the discussion if you need further assistance with it.

      Thanks,

      Srishti

      L
      Community Expert
      LaubenderCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 28, 2018

      lauraf2110769  wrote

      …Thoughts?

      Hi Laura,

      export all InDesign documents used in the book file to IDML.

      Open the IDML files and save as InDesign documents with a new name.

      Do a new book file with the saved documents and try to synch again.

      Regards,
      Uwe

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