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danieller1971135
danieller1971135
Participating Frequently
Nov 27, 2017 12:58 PM UTC
Answered

Failed to open the pdf file

Hi everyone,

My indesign acts a bit weird with some pdf files. If I want to insert a pdf file I get following error: "failed to open the pdf file". It works on another computer so I really don't know what the problem could be. This is what I've already tried:

- removing the creative suite and installing it again: doesn't work

- placing the pdf file and opening the options: doesn't work.

Hopefully one of you guys can help me.

Regards!

Daniëlle

    yksin
    yksinCorrect answer
    Participant
    Nov 11, 2018 11:09 PM UTC

    The above solution didn't work for me, but I landed on another method that did work for me


    1. Save the Excel table/chart you're having problems with as a PDF.

    2. Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro DC.

    3. From the File menu, export the table/chart to Encapsulated Postscript.

    4. Close the PDF.

    5. Double-click to open the .eps file. It should (or at least it did for me, on my Mac) open with a .pdf extension.

    6. Save it. Because it had that .pdf extension, it will save as a .pdf — should be fine to save it over your original PDF.

    7. Try again to import in InDesign. It should work.  It did for me, both charts.

    View reply

    20 replies

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Oct 9, 2025 11:06 AM UTC

    This discussion has run its course and is now locked.

    Translate
    default2qh2jern6pvj
    Participating Frequently
    Oct 9, 2025 10:38 AM UTC

    I opened the file in Preview on my Mac, resaved under a different name and it worked for me.

    Translate
    RohitSolanki
    Participant
    Sep 5, 2025 3:52 AM UTC

    Make sure the pdf file is always flattened.

    Translate
    Willi Adelberger
    Community Expert
    Willi AdelbergerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    Sep 5, 2025 5:32 AM UTC

    Nonsense, you can import layered PDFs into InDesign and keep transparency always alive. Import PDF/ X-4. 

    Translate
      Do25561486k24v
      Participant
      May 31, 2023 3:37 AM UTC

      my indesign was working fine yesterday but today i open the indesign file and can't place (CTRL+D) any PDF files. Error when I try to select PDF file, then indesign program is closed. Help me

      Translate
      faithh18107986
      Participant
      Dec 2, 2020 5:02 PM UTC

      How do you access 'Show Import Options' ?

       

      Translate
      nicks3609780
      Participating Frequently
      Aug 12, 2021 8:45 PM UTC

      Command D  - Control D -  it is on the popup window

      Translate
      angjesk
      Participant
      Jun 12, 2025 5:11 PM UTC

      This looked like it should work! Unfortunately not for me.

      Translate
      yksin
      yksinCorrect answer
      Participant
      Nov 11, 2018 11:09 PM UTC

      The above solution didn't work for me, but I landed on another method that did work for me


      1. Save the Excel table/chart you're having problems with as a PDF.

      2. Open the PDF in Acrobat Pro DC.

      3. From the File menu, export the table/chart to Encapsulated Postscript.

      4. Close the PDF.

      5. Double-click to open the .eps file. It should (or at least it did for me, on my Mac) open with a .pdf extension.

      6. Save it. Because it had that .pdf extension, it will save as a .pdf — should be fine to save it over your original PDF.

      7. Try again to import in InDesign. It should work.  It did for me, both charts.

      Translate
        csvergara
        csvergara
        Participant
        Dec 14, 2018 5:06 PM UTC

        Thanks yksin, it works!!!

        Translate
          danieller1971135
          danieller1971135Author
          Participating Frequently
          Nov 28, 2017 9:34 AM UTC

          Hi Dov,

          There is no security on the PDF file and it can be opened by all versions of acrobat, so it says in the document properties.

          How do I know if the PDF file is created by LifeCycle Designer? It is a drawing from Autocad. I both tested it with dwg-to-pdr and adobe pdf. Nothing works. Except on the computer of my college.

          Now I tried updating my windows but still nothing.

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          Test Screen Name
          Legend
          Nov 28, 2017 9:40 AM UTC

          You aren’t expected to open a PDF in InDesign but it should Place. What exactly happens?

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          danieller1971135
          danieller1971135Author
          Participating Frequently
          Nov 28, 2017 9:44 AM UTC

          That's what i'm doing . I've tried Place and draging it into the document, both not working.

          Translate
          Dov Isaacs
          Dov Isaacs
          Legend
          Nov 27, 2017 4:54 PM UTC

          Try opening the PDF files in Acrobat and ascertain that there is no protections applied to the PDF file. Look under Document Properties => Security. If there are any restrictions, you will likely have problems placing the PDF into an InDesign documents. You would need to remove such protections.

          Alternatively, if the PDF file is really a PDF form created by LiveCycle Designer, i.e., an XFA form, it cannot be directly placed into an InDesign document.

                    - Dov

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          - Dov Isaacs, former Adobe Principal Scientist (April 30, 1990 - May 30, 2021)
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