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Participant
March 5, 2025
Answered

Exporting a PDF from an updated InDesign file displays a previous PDF version.

  • March 5, 2025
  • 2 replies
  • 331 views

I'm working on a modest 38-page book in InDesign. I've exported a "v1" PDF and all is fine. I've then made updates and changes to the source InDesign file per my client and when I export my updated PDF (v2), it generates / displays the old PDF (v1) even thought the new file name has a v2 in it. The only way I can get it to work properly is to safe the file with an entirely new name and export that. I've restarted the app, restarted the computer and the problem still exists. InDesign version 20.1 on a Mac running Sonoma 14.6.1. 32GB RAM.

Correct answer Robert at ID-Tasker

The latest version of Sonoma is 14.7.4 - maybe you should update? 

 

To what folder are you exporting - what is the date & time of the exported PDF? 

 

 

2 replies

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 5, 2025

Do you have "View PDF after Exporting" selected? My suspicion is a file-management issue. InDesign might be defaulting to the filename.pdf. 

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
Participant
March 5, 2025

I do and always have this option selected and it never been an issue. I'm going to update my OS and see what happens. Thank you.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 5, 2025

Try deleting the old PDF before creating another. (You don't have to delete it, just move it to the trash so you can recover it later if necessary. Also, pay EXTRA close attention to the PDF export locaton and file name.

 

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
Robert at ID-Tasker
Robert at ID-TaskerCorrect answer
Legend
March 5, 2025

The latest version of Sonoma is 14.7.4 - maybe you should update? 

 

To what folder are you exporting - what is the date & time of the exported PDF? 

 

 

Participant
March 5, 2025

Thanks Robert — Exporting to the same folder the source InDesign file is in. The time stamp on the PDF does show an updated time but it is the older version of the PDF. I will update my OS. Do you recommend updating to Sequoia 15.3.1?

Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
March 5, 2025

@Jim Pezzullo

 

Sorry, I'm not a Mac user. 

 

Maybe you have somehow activated Alternate Layouts?

 

Can you post a screenshot of your PDF export settings?