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SYSTHERM
SYSTHERM
Participant
February 25, 2026
Question

When importing an image into an InDesign file, an incomplete compatibility message appears.

  • February 25, 2026
  • 3 replies
  • 21 views

Hello,
when I imported an image from the files in Creative Cloud (to save it in an InDesign document for later printing) I got this message:
This image was saved in Photoshop without full file compatibility. To speed things up, save the image in Photoshop with maximum compatibility enabled and import it. Do you still want to place the image?
In Polish:

Will the imported image now lose quality and print poorly? 

    3 replies

    Mike Witherell
    Community Expert
    Mike WitherellCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 25, 2026

    Dzień dobry, Systherm,

    In addition to Dave Creamers correct answer, InDesign will place and operate the Photoshop file either way and this does not slow anything down. Having the compatibility turned off in Photoshop means you cannot open the layered file in version 2 of Photoshop from 1991 which did not support layers. When it is set to Never in Photoshop, you get somewhat lighter files, since Photoshop is not making and saving a composite-of-your-layers secretly inside the PSD file. As far as I can observe, it has no other impact on InDesign.


    “Nie pokazuj ponownie” jest ok

    Mike Witherell
    Dave Creamer of IDEAS
    Community Expert
    Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 25, 2026

    You will get that when the Photoshop file is not saved with that option in Photoshop:

    It speeds things up in InDesign to have it on but it’s not a deal breaker. InDesign will build the preview as needed. 

    David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    February 25, 2026

    The irony of that one gets me every time. You can an alert that slows you down to tell you how speed things up.

      Dave Creamer of IDEAS
      Community Expert
      Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      February 25, 2026

      I think if one had hundreds of images in a single document, I suppose it could bog one down. If my workflow depended on bringing lots of PSD images into ID, I would probably set the PSD preference to “Always”. 

      David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        February 25, 2026

        I haven’t seen that one in years. Check the don’t show again box and forget about it.

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