Participating Frequently

Answered

I have the latest Indesign version. However I don't have the option Open PDF to Indd enabled... How is it possible?

Forum|Forum|3 months ago
May 28, 2026
17 replies
143 views

I have the latest Indesign version. However I don't have the option Open PDF to convert PDFs into Indd files... How is it possible?

Correct answer BobLevine

@p_6994 Latest is 21.4 but I doubt that’s it. Are you using a MENA or CJK version? Are you connected to the internet? Do you have full admin rights?

eleven9

Participant

I have the same issue. This ‘correct answer’ did not solve the issue. Though I’m using In Design 2024. Cant update since I’m using Macbook Pro 2015 version.

I don’t have the option File> Open PDF

I tried dragging file and received the error ‘Unknown issue occured”

Tried right-click open in and Indesign is grayed out.

leo.r

Community Expert

It's a relatively new option. You need the current InDesign version.

leo.r

Community Expert

Cant update since I’m using Macbook Pro 2015 version.

Some people use OCLP to install newer macOS versions on unsupported Macs. Look it up if you want to explore it. This option is not for everyone (installation can be complex) and satisfactory performance of Adobe software is not guaranteed. But you'll be able to install the latest InDesign version. If you decide to try OCLP, only install it on a separate volume of your hard drive as a test.

Barb Binder

Community Expert

What InDesign version—exactly—are you using?

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

p_6994Author

Participating Frequently

The latest one, 21.3 x64

p_6994Author

Participating Frequently

BobLevine

Community Expert

What is the language version of your installation?

p_6994Author

Participating Frequently

English, but some teammates have Spanish and the option is available there

p_6994Author

Participating Frequently

I think it's not a problem of which language version you're using, but rather your location. Is that possible?

Mike Witherell

Community Expert

What specific version are you in?

Where are you looking for it?

One way to convert a PDF to InDesign document is to drag a PDF into the InDesign screen.

Another way is Cmd/Ctrl+D which is File > Place, and a dialog box window pops up asking you whether you want to place the PDF or convert it.

Of course, there is also now File > Open PDF...

Mike Witherell

leo.r

Community Expert

Can you open PDF via the Open menu?

p_6994Author

Participating Frequently

The fact is that I don’t have the Open PDF option in the File menu. That’s weird….
I can not drag and drop PDF files neither

leo.r

Community Expert

The fact is that I don’t have the Open PDF option in the File menu. That’s weird….

Still, just in case: when you use the Open menu, can you select and open PDF (make sure that the All Readable Documents option is selected)?

The Open PDF menu is just a marketing gimmick to bring attention to this new feature. It’s a duplicate of the Open menu, it’s not specifically designed to “open PDF”.

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