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Participating Frequently
August 20, 2019
Question

either the file does not exist you do not have permission or the file may be in use by another application

  • August 20, 2019
  • 1 reply
  • 3151 views

I recently started getting this message when I try to drag graphics from my CC Library to my canvas "either the file does not exist you do not have permission or the file may be in use by another application" This only started happening with InDesign. Can anyone help.

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1 reply

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 21, 2019

You could try the solution offered for this at this link: https://indesignsecrets.com/topic/either-the-file-does-not-exist-you-do-not-have-permission-or-the-file-may-be-i . If this does not work please provide the exact version of InDesign and the operating system you are using.

Participating Frequently
August 21, 2019

Nope it didnt work, Im using version 14.0.2.324

Randy Hagan
Community Expert
Community Expert
August 21, 2019

Another thing to consider is pollution from stray/orphaned InDesign .idlk lock files. The problem can occur when you're working with busy production networks, or working/swapping InDesign .indd files with cloud storage. You can read more about these issues here:

InDesign CC file is damaged or missing error

The comment thread refers to files stored in cloud and local folders, or files worked on in cloud folders. But the infamous .idlk problem can also occur in local folders if say, a hard system crash, power interruption or unexpected Adobe application lockup occurs. Please don't ask me how I know; the memory is way too vivid.

In any case, shutting down InDesign and killing all .idlk files cures a lot of file access ills.

Please let us know the results after doing this, and if this doesn't work, we'll keep helping you narrow down the problem.

Good luck,

Randy