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Error exporting file to PDF (2024)

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I'm trying to export an InDesign file I have previously worked on other versions, but this error prompts:

"Failed to export the PDF file."

"Possible cause of failure is present on spread with page number "5"."

I have deleted the spread mentioned in the error, removed all hyperlinks, verified that the document has no errors, and tried to export the file in batches, but nothing is working.

For reference: I'm using macOS Monterey.

Import and export

Robert at ID-TaskerCorrect answer

Legend

Maybe your file got corrupted?

Try IDMLing - Export as IDML, open and save with a NEW NAME - do not overwrite your original file!!!

I

Ian25476189fjjg

Participant

I am creating a book that has a very large file size and kept getting this error. I had to get this exported to send for printing and the workaround I used, because nothing in here worked (even the "correct") answer, was to export it the same way, but used range, and exported the first half, then the second half. And in Adobe Acrobat I just combined the uncompressed PDFs.

What was weird, was if I deleted the page/spread that had the error being called out, exporting again as a test inDesign would give me the same error message for whatever my last page was. So again, I wasn't able to solve the issue, just a slight work-around.

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M

Myzet SL

Participant

Yes, Finally!!! Only this worked for me aswell, Thanks Ian!

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Fine Art P

Inspiring

I've had this problem on pages with multiple graphics overlays. Reducing the number of graphics or lowering pixel resolution solved the problem.

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Enchanted_difference1549

Inspiring

Hello, I had a similar case solved just because MacOS (or the user) didn't grant InDesign access to "desktop" or "download folder" etc or even "complete disk access". Do check those settings in System Settings > Privacy and Security > File and Folders and check whether InDesign has all the right switches set up.

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Robert at ID-Tasker

Legend

Hello, I had a similar case solved just because MacOS (or the user) didn't grant InDesign access to "desktop" or "download folder" etc or even "complete disk access". Do check those settings in System Settings > Privacy and Security > File and Folders and check whether InDesign has all the right switches set up.

By @Enchanted_difference1549

Yeah, there was a thread in German few months ago - no enough access was the problem.

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paradigm63

Participant

Thank you! This was the solution for me. I'm working with InDesign CC 2024 and just updated to Mac OS Sonoma. Followed Robert at ID-Tasker's instructions and now the universe makes sense to me again---about easily exporting to PDF from Indd, that is.

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Chris Kunnert

Known Participant

Am having same issue since upgraded to InDeign 19.4 Have tried saving to desktop instead of network to server, this works, but not good enough as it adds to workflow. Previously was able to save over Network to my Work in Progress server. ANybody other suggestions/solutions please?

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leo.r

Community Expert

Am having same issue since upgraded to InDeign 19.4 Have tried saving to desktop instead of network to server, this works, but not good enough as it adds to workflow. Previously was able to save over Network to my Work in Progress server. ANybody other suggestions/solutions please?

By @Chris Kunnert

InDesign 19.4 has a number of known issues. Try to revert to 19.3 (you can do this from Creative Cloud app) - will the problem go away?

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