Skip to main content
mahesh_raja
Participant
February 15, 2018
Answered

File extension issues-indd and idml

  • February 15, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 498 views

I have a design in indesign 2018 cc and saved in the default format(indd). When i tried to open in indesign cc 2017, it is not opening. then i have saved in the compatible format(idml) and now it is opening... but when i try to save.. everytime... it is considering the file as a new document.. and when i overwrite it is saving...but now i am not able to open it... please help...

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Barb Binder

    InDesign CC 2017 (v 12) can open a CC 2018 (v 13) file, but it must convert it back to the 2017 format. (I think you need to be signed in with your Adobe ID and online for this to work.)

    When you open a 2018 file in 2017, this message will appear:

    Click Convert.

    Save the file under a new name when prompted.

    This is a clunky workflow. Life is so much easier when everyone involved is working with an InDesign file is on the same version. That all CC versions are available for free is one of the many benefits of a CC subscription.

    ~Barb

    2 replies

    Barb Binder
    Community Expert
    Barb BinderCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    February 15, 2018

    InDesign CC 2017 (v 12) can open a CC 2018 (v 13) file, but it must convert it back to the 2017 format. (I think you need to be signed in with your Adobe ID and online for this to work.)

    When you open a 2018 file in 2017, this message will appear:

    Click Convert.

    Save the file under a new name when prompted.

    This is a clunky workflow. Life is so much easier when everyone involved is working with an InDesign file is on the same version. That all CC versions are available for free is one of the many benefits of a CC subscription.

    ~Barb

    ~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
    John Mensinger
    Community Expert
    Community Expert
    February 15, 2018

    mahesh.raja  wrote

    ... but when i try to save.. everytime... it is considering the file as a new document..

    Yes, that's the way it's intended. When opened, the idml format provides the elements for InDesign to assemble a "new build" of the document—much as though you started a new one from scratch—so it puts you in an unsaved, "untitled" state.

    .. and when i overwrite it is saving...but now i am not able to open it... please help...

    You're not clear enough on exactly what you did here, what/where you overwrote, in what format, or which version fails to re-open the file.

    But in any case, why overwrite at all?