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Participant
June 10, 2021
Answered

InDesign documents opens as read only

  • June 10, 2021
  • 6 replies
  • 12375 views

Hi,

 

After upgrading to InDesign 2021, we experience periodic issues with files that open in read-only mode.

Files are stored on a Xinet server (Linux), which we connect to via afp.

The permissions on the files seem to be ok (Read and write)

 

InDesign: 16.2.1
macOS: 10.15.7

 

Does anyone know what the problem might be?

Correct answer ericgrossdesign

Working from or to a removable drive is not advisable.


True, and with smaller and smaller internal drives I really should move everything to the cloud. I guess I could set up my own network storage. But I like simplifying, not adding layers of complexity. Yo no se. What's your recommended MO for files?

I did however SOLVE my read/write issue. System Settings -> Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access > Drag in InDesign and Enable

 

YAY! 

6 replies

Participating Frequently
January 22, 2025

Hello, I have this problem with windows 11, we saves our files in a shared external disk, managed from my organization. What I can do? 

Robert at ID-Tasker
Legend
January 22, 2025
quote

Hello, I have this problem with windows 11, we saves our files in a shared external disk, managed from my organization. What I can do? 


By @Eleonora_p

 

Don't work on this external shared drive - or update your network - InDesign is extremely sensitive to the network's "lag". 

 

Participant
July 28, 2023

I had this problem on windows 11, but only files saved in a fold named templates opened read only. Once i moved them from that fold they were fine, very strange.

 

Geоrge
Legend
September 15, 2021

All that things because people use it abnormal workflow. No offence. Or create workflow with InCopy for work with text simultaneously, or do book with few .indd where "one indd file" have a "one man" responsible for this file and no more any other living soul!

Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
Geоrge
Legend
September 15, 2021

Plus one more thing. Strange that InDesign is still don't have something native like

this: https://creativepro.com/free-layout-zones-add-on-is-incredible-productivity-tool/

 

 

 

Remember, never say you can't do something in InDesign, it's always just a question of finding the right workaround to get the job done. © David Blatner
Lars1674Author
Participant
September 15, 2021

Update: In our setup, it is possible for two users to have the same document open, at the same time, without any warnings.

The user who opens the document first can work without problems. User two can open the same document, but in read-only mode. User two can only save the document under a new name.

So in many cases, we end up with the same document, in several different editions (_NEW, _OK, etc.)
It's a mess...

I think our problem is connected to this topic:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/multiple-users-can-now-open-the-same-document-in-indesign-2021/td-p/11600485

Tom Rehbein
Participating Frequently
September 14, 2021

Same with me.

Since moving from an iMac (2015) to a new MacBook Pro 13“ (2020), Indesign files sporadically open read-only. There is no recognizable pattern.
The files are opened from a server, this does not happen with locally stored files.
No change has been made to the server in that time.

Permissions on files are ok.

Connection via smb.

 

Mac OS 11.5.2
Adobe Creative Cloud 5.5.0.619
Indesign 16.4

J E L
Community Expert
Community Expert
September 14, 2021

It looks as though there haven't been any responses to these questions going back to June. I'm hoping this will receive some traction now so I'm pinging @Srishti Bali for some guidance. Maybe this has to do with newer versions misreading server permissions or some type of file preview conflict. Let's get all of you some answers soon!

Participant
June 11, 2021

I am having the same problem. It is very frustrating! This happened on earlier versions of InDesign and MacOS. I uploaded the latest versions of both to no avail. This really needs to be sorted out!

InDesign: 16.2.1

Mac OS: 11.4

Participant
June 14, 2021

Im having the same issue. 

 

InDesign: 16.2.1

Windows 10 Pro: 20H2