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J
jill_jill
Participating Frequently
February 19, 2020
Question

Unable to open InDesign 2020 IMDL file in 2019

  • February 19, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 1009 views

Hello,

 

I am using Indesign 2020 but working with a client who is currently using 2019.

They are unable to open the any of my IMDL files (created in 2020) because they keep crashing their 2019 InDesign. Can anyone help with this?

 

Thanks

Jill

This topic has been closed for replies.

3 replies

BobLevine
Community Expert
BobLevineCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 20, 2020

Can YOU open it in 2019? How are you sharing these files?

J
jill_jillAuthor
Participating Frequently
February 20, 2020

Hello Bob,

Thank you.

No, it also crashes when I try in 2019 but the files open without any issue in my 2020.

We have been sending the file via FTP. I have completed the work and they wanted to edit the files and prepare them for printing.

BobLevine
Community Expert
BobLevineCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 20, 2020
I don't know what the issue is, but the whole workflow is filled with issues. In a collaborative workflow everyone should be on the same version.

If they can't upgrade you should be using 2019.
L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 20, 2020

Hi Jill,

could you test if you can open your IDML file with InDesign 2020?

And I would also install InDesign CC 2019 so you could work with your client seamlessly.

 

If nothing helps try the following:
Export page contents to IDMS snippet files.*

 

Do one snippet file for every spread:

Select All on a spread.

Export to IDMS snippet format.

 

Try to place a snippet file in a new document created with InDesign CC 2019.

 

*Or perhaps use a InDesign Library *.indl file ( not a CC Library ).

Why? Because you can put all items of the active page including guides as asset to a InDesign library file.

You cannot do this with Creative Cloud Libraries.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

J
jill_jillAuthor
Participating Frequently
February 20, 2020

Hi Uwe

Thank you, I have not rtied this so will give it a go.

The document is a 160+ page book with a varity of layouts with text links, so not sure how well it will work.

Cheers

Jill

L
Community Expert
LaubenderCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 20, 2020

Hi Jill,

ah. 160 pages or more. That would mean about 81 spreads. Not very comfortable to export 81 snippet files…

 

Hm. Before doing anything else could you try to split your document into two and do two IDML files from that?

Perhaps you can find the culprit by a divide-and-conquer method? I assume that there is corruption perhaps to one of the pages.

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

JonathanArias
JonathanArias
Legend
February 19, 2020

Are you embedding graphics?

J
jill_jillAuthor
Participating Frequently
February 20, 2020

Hi!

No, there are no embedded graphics.

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