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Question

Indesign Book Files

Forum|Forum|10 months ago
May 17, 2025
4 replies
493 views

I have a book file: INDB

I also have another file for the same book which I have labled "edits".

I am trying to take the INDB file and paste edits from the "edits" file (they are both completed books and the same book),

I copy text from the "edits" and paste into the final version book INDB.

When asked to save the INDB, I did. Now it says this when I try to open it:

Can’t open /Users/holybenguin/Desktop/Recovered.indb as a book file

Don't know what I did wrong, what it utltimately means and what can I do about it.

Any help here? thanks ahead of time. This is indesign 2025

It also appears I have 2024 as well How do II go about uninstalling 2024? Thanks again

How to

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @M.E.310814321c2q,

Thanks for sharing the details! I hope the expert's suggestions helped. Just to add, if you're seeing the 'Recovered.indb' error, it likely means the book file got corrupted. Try opening the original .indb file from within InDesign 2024 to check if it still works. If you're comfortable, feel free to share the file with us (via DM if it's confidential) so we can take a closer look.

Also, instead of pasting images from Photoshop, try saving them and using File > Place in InDesign. Pasting can leave behind hidden objects, which might be causing the layout and Type Tool issues.

To uninstall InDesign 2024, open the Creative Cloud app, find the 2024 version, click the three dots next to it, and select Uninstall.

Let me know how things go!

Abhishek

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

Recovered indicates that this book crashed and this file is not the original. Try to find the original file.

Barb Binder

Community Expert

Hi @M.E.310814321c2q:

I'm confused by your workflow description. A book file (.indb file) is just a list of InDesign files (.indd files). The book file below (Book 1.indd) has four InDesign document files listed.

When I think about editing the book file, I'm thinking about adding files, removing files, rearranging the order and updating the various numbering systems and x-refs or syncing formatting across the other files.. I save the book updates using the book panel menu > Save Book as shown, above.

When I think about editing an InDesign file, then I'm opening up one of those files in the list to edit the content (including pasting in new content or pasting over existing content), changing the formatting, etc. Then I save the updated InDesign file with File > Save when the document is active.

I copy text from the "edits" and paste into the final version book INDB.

We don't actually paste directly into a book file—we open a file within that book and paste into the file. So with that in mind, can you clarify your workflow? Screen shots are also super helpful.

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

M

M.E.310814321c2qAuthor

Known Participant

Hi.
I open a indb file and with the book panel there, open a chapter and edit.
I took one chapter, removed the older images and pasted in, or tried to,
better ones from
Photoshop image generator.
What happened was sometimes the image does not show up so I do it again.
I have a feeling those ghost pastes are still there cuz when i delete a
page border,
it asks if I want to because it has objects in it. Can't see them.

So using my Type Tool for more writing or editing won't work on some pages
so I know
something is amiss. Also, because this added some pages to this chapter,
the numbering is out
of sequence. Editing in other chapters doesn't cause any problems and when
i save, I replace the one on my desktop (the one I open) and all the
changes are made, saved and the book adjusts properly.

I know very little about Adobe as far as any expertise on my part.

Thanks

leo.r

Community Expert

I took one chapter, removed the older images and pasted in, or tried to,better ones fromPhotoshop image generator.
By @M.E.310814321c2q

I'm not exactly sure yet about the exact nature of the problem you experience, but before anything else:

You should not paste images, you need to use the File > Place command to place image files.

So after generating the image in Photoshop, you need to save it as a file (preferrably PSD), then place it in InDesign.

leo.r

Community Expert

Can’t open /Users/holybenguin/Desktop/Recovered.indb as a book file

It also appears I have 2024 as well How do II go about uninstalling 2024? Thanks again

By @M.E.310814321c2q

Is your Desktop folder synced with iCloud by any chance?

Try to move your book file from Desktop to another folder (but not a folder that is synced with iCloud). Will it make a difference?

Before you uninstall InDesign 2024, try to open that book from within InDesign 2024, just in case. Will it make a difference?

To uninstall InDesign 2024, locate it in the Creative Cloud app and click 'uninstall'.

Also, what's your macOS version?

M

M.E.310814321c2qAuthor

Known Participant

My OS is Sequoia 15.5

I never use ICloud. Don't know anything about it.
I will try what you suggest but now I have another pressing
problem.
In one of Chapters I switched out older images for
those created with image generator in Photoshop 2025.

It messed up my pages and numbering and when I delete a page
box, it asks if I want to because it contains objects. I cannot see them.
Also, because of this I cannot get the Type Tool cursor to work.

Thinking of just deleting all the text, no pics and then repaste from
another
edited version and add the pics with that.

Thanks for your response

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