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Akihisa Sumi
Participant
August 21, 2025
Answered

Editing InDesign (.indd) files programmatically and "Incompatible API" error

  • August 21, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 207 views

Hello,

I am currently exploring ways to programmatically edit existing InDesign (.indd) files — for example, updating tables and text — and then generate a new .indd file.

To achieve this, I tried using the Adobe InDesign SDK and the InDesign API (Firefly Services). However, when I attempted to create a Project, I received the following error message:

 
Incompatible API This API cannot be used in your organization. If you think this is an error, please contact customer support.

I would like to understand:

  • Why this error occurs

  • Whether there are any required settings, approvals, or procedures to enable access

  • What the recommended approach or supported APIs/SDKs are for programmatically editing .indd files

If there are alternative methods, or if any formal application process is needed to move forward, I would greatly appreciate your guidance.

Has anyone faced a similar situation or found a solution? Any insights would be very helpful.

Thank you in advance!

Correct answer leo.r

I think this error is from Firefly Services (which is a relatively new thing). Make sure you signed up for whatever is required and established all the required credentials here:

https://developer.adobe.com/firefly-services/docs/indesign-apis/api/datamerge/

 

The API docs also include a support email for API-related issues.

 

Regardless, are you sure that you actually need Firefly Services? For a regular InDesign plug-in, you only need InDesign SDK. There are also scripting APIs (JavaScript for cross-platform; also AppleScript and VB).

2 replies

M
Community Expert
Manan JoshiCommunity Expert
Community Expert
August 23, 2025

What exact SDK did you use? Was it C++ or Javascript that you wrote your code in? How did you submit your request to Firefly? If you have access to Firefly services you must have got your credentials and starter document on how to use it. Did you do anything to get registered? Please provide more context.

-Manan

-Manan
leo.r
Community Expert
leo.rCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
August 21, 2025

I think this error is from Firefly Services (which is a relatively new thing). Make sure you signed up for whatever is required and established all the required credentials here:

https://developer.adobe.com/firefly-services/docs/indesign-apis/api/datamerge/

 

The API docs also include a support email for API-related issues.

 

Regardless, are you sure that you actually need Firefly Services? For a regular InDesign plug-in, you only need InDesign SDK. There are also scripting APIs (JavaScript for cross-platform; also AppleScript and VB).

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