Indesign suddenly not allowing me to edit docs - getting a "prohibited" symbol (circle/slash)

Can you tell us more about your Mac? How old is it? A screenshot from the "About this Mac" screen would probably be enough. 

As for the file, could be locked layers or objects. InCopy wouldn't give you that kind of error but I'd still check the links panel for any missing text links, too.

1.  I suddenly can't interact with my Indesign docs. As I was working with a client on a Google Meet call, the INDD doc suddenly stopped allowing edits and I get a  Ø 🚫 symbol.

 

2. I was able to export a JPG, but can't edit. Tried other docs, etc. 

 

3. I've done a hard restart.

 

4. I tried to update the app. Possibly the problem? The latest version (CC2020) is not compatable with my MacBook Pro OS (high Sierra 10.13.6) anymore?

 

5. I switched to the next one down (CC2018) and had to convert the docs down.

 

6. It seemed to work, but INDD just crashed. Sigh. I'm on a deadline and it's cost me about 2 hrs not to mention the lost work. Anyone else had this issue?

By @laura dicurcio

I've a lot of questions

1. You were working on the document and it crashed? 

2. JPGs are rasterised images and able to be edited. You say you tried other docs, what does this mean?

3. Good - that usually resolves some issues, but not in your case

4. Updating the app is a good step - how could CC2020 not be compatible anymore? If you had installed it should still work. It is possible that the lastest updates are not available as you can only install the current version of InDesign and the previous version.

5. So how did you switch to 2018? That wouldn't be available on Creative Cloud...??? If it is available then 2020 should be there. You were working on the docs already - so you should have CC 2020 already installed. Did you uninstall it? 

6. It worked - but InDesign crashed - in what way did it work? 

I'm very confused because it seems like you had 2020 - then all of a sudden do not - then opened 2018 converted documents that worked but crashed. 

I'd really like to know more about the crashes - any information provided on the crash? 

How is it crashing? When is it crashing - when you open the document, when you make a change - when you save???

Hi Laura:

InDesign releases a major upgrade annually, so 2020 is actually 3 versions back. InDesign 2021, 2022 and 2023 were all released after 2020. The current version is 2023 or v18.1. The versions after 2020 are not compatible with High Sierra so they will not be available to you as an upgrade from the CC desktop app. See https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/system-requirements.html and also https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/system-requirements/earlier-versions.html.

InDesign 2020 (v15.x) is compatible with macOS version 10.15 (Catalina), macOS version 10.14 (Mojave), and macOS version 10.13 (High Sierra) so that shouldn't be the problem. Could your Mac have auto-updated the operating system? Please confirm that you are still on High Sierra. 

If there wasn't an OS upgrade, I would reset preferences and cache—that may be all it takes to get it working again. 

https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-resetting-preferences-and-deleting-the-cache/ You can do this for either or both installed versions.

~Barb

Hi @laura dicurcio 

Since your question is about InDesign, I have moved this from the Using the Community forum (for questions about the forums) where you posted.

Where is the "NO" symbol exactly? Can you show a screenshot?

What is your OS and version?

Version of InDesign?

~ Jane