Question

Help, advice please for a total beginner getting damaged file messages at every "save" attempt.

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 16, 2026
2 replies
141 views

Hi, I desperately need advice. I am brand new to InDesign. I'm here to format my first book. So far I've created two documents in one book. Each document so far is about 8 pages long with one A parent. I have only created columns and page numbers so my files are tiny. I get damaged file, can't save, Error 0 every time I try to save. I can't get anywhere. Now when I launch InDesign I am getting a "Welcome to the InDesign Touch Workspace" page that I can't get past and and can't even open my files. I am totally lost and SOOOO frustrated!

Performance

Derek Cross

Community Expert

Which version of InDesign and OS?
How much RAM and spare hard disk capacity do you have?

Are you using the "Book" feature (File > New > Book)? If so, that's only for very long documents.

Use File > New > Document to create your (separate) two 8 page documents.

In any case, it would be wise, as you are new to InDesign, to take some lessons, there are free ones from Adobe, and post on here when you get stuck.

P

patricia_9709Author

Thanks. My computer is brand new and has more than enough RAM, etc. I just
downloaded the latest version of InDesign for the first time. I am doing a
very long document and am using the "Book" feature. I am taking the
lessons.
Thanks so much for giving me that checklist, I'll keep trying.

Derek Cross

Community Expert

Try resetting InDesign settings back to the factory defaults, to see if that sorts the issue out.

You can do this in the InDesign Preferences under the General Tab, then closing and reopening the application.

Harshika Verma

Community Manager

Hi patricia_9709,

Thank you for reaching out and sorry for the trouble. If you are stuck on the touch workspace screen and can't click anything, try closing the InDesign app completely, then reopen it by double-clicking any existing .indd file. That should help you get past the initial screen. Once the file is open, go to Edit > Preferences > Touch Workspace, and uncheck the "Switch to Touch Workspace when the keyboard is detached" option.

Please check this post that might help you.

For error 0 while saving the file, please try the steps suggested in this article and let us know if that helps.

Additionally, please confirm whether you are on Windows and if this issue started after a recent Windows update. If yes, I'd like to let you know there's a known issue with the latest Microsoft Windows update KB5074109. You can refer to the thread below for more details and updates:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-files-corrupted-and-unable-to-save-after-windows-11-update-kb5074109-january-2026/td-p/15663227

Thanks,

Harshika

P

patricia_9709Author

Thanks Harshika.
When I try to open an existing document I still get the touch welcome
screen and have to go to WIndows Task Manager to close InDesign (my only
way out).
I took the second option and completely disabled my computer's touchscreen.
That worked.
I'm still struggling with the damaged file issue and will get back to you
on that.
I appreciate the quick response so much.
-Patty

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