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Participant
March 1, 2021
Answered

Older version of InDesign won't open document

  • March 1, 2021
  • 4 replies
  • 1811 views

Hello,

I had a graphic artist create a logo for me in CS6 (?) InDesign and when I try to open on my CS4 version it gives me the attached error messages.  What is the best way to open these files?  I would rather not have to upgrade to a new version as I rarely use InDesign.

Thanks,

Lori

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Derek Cross

InDesign is not the application to create logos in. Get the person who designed the logo to send it to you in the native file format such as PSD (Photoshop) or AI (Illustrator) plus a copy as a PNG.

4 replies

Willi Adelberger
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 5, 2021

Documents can only be opened with the same or later versions as they were created with. There exists the possibility to open an exported IDML file, but you have to expect significant changes of the file.

Jumpenjax
Community Expert
Community Expert
March 5, 2021

Have your Designer re-save the document as a InDesign CS4 or later (IDML).

Lee- Graphic Designer, Print Specialist, Photographer
Derek Cross
Community Expert
Derek CrossCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
March 1, 2021

InDesign is not the application to create logos in. Get the person who designed the logo to send it to you in the native file format such as PSD (Photoshop) or AI (Illustrator) plus a copy as a PNG.

Lori98A1Author
Participant
March 2, 2021
Thank you

Lori
JonathanArias
Legend
March 1, 2021

you need to save indesign files as .idml to be able to open in older versions of indesign.

Participant
February 2, 2023

How do I do this?

James Gifford—NitroPress
Legend
February 2, 2023

Depending on your version, it is either a Save As option or an Export option, or both.

 

It's a standard trick to fix a corrupted INDD file (that is glitching in some way, usually when exported) to save it as IDML and then reopen it as INDD. Useful to keep in mind.