WHEN? InDesign export to PDF fails

Forum|Forum|4 months ago
January 8, 2026
5 replies
210 views

If you have indd files you are inserting those files into a new indd file and exporting that as a pdf - it fails. (meaning, several placed indd file, lose their images and text - but not all) the pdf is rendered useless.

There have been enough of us trying to struggle with this.

WHEN WILL IT BE RESOLVED?

Thank you.

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @maryl91873679,

Thanks for sharing the examples and for your patience. Based on what you're describing, could you please check if the behavior you're seeing matches the issue discussed in this thread: https://adobe.ly/49ktBNa

If it does look like the same problem, I want to let you know that this has already been logged as a bug and the product team is actively working on it. Your case sounds very similar, especially with placed INDD files not exporting correctly to PDF.

Please let me know if that thread aligns with what you're experiencing, or if you're seeing something different.

Your confirmation will help me take this forward appropriately.

Abhishek

leo.r

Community Expert

I remember that several users reported this bug here and it was acknowledged by Adobe. I don't recall if it was officially fixed (I think not). I'll try to look up those threads soon.

davecourtemanche

Inspiring

For better help diagnosing the issue, please post with OS version, ID version, computer specs & workflow. Often this will help others diagnose the issue and elimnate variables. For example, are you working off a server (what OS?) Does it happen is working locally?

Willi Adelberger

Community Expert

Because this happens often ( mostly in networks with remote servers), I export a PDF/X-4 without resampling images and import those instead of the INDD files.