BUG: ID 18.3 repeatably crashes on cross-reference to an H1 in another file

[Nedlaw]

Hi. Using ID 18.3 (recently updated) with Win 11 (also updated) 64 Gb memory.

This appears to be a bug. Repeatable even after a full cold re-boot. On the last try, I did not "recover" the files (attempting to leave whatever corruption is clinging to them behind). Didn't work. This has occurred as described 6 times. I've sent the report per the crash dialog each time. There have been other crashes of 18.3 (also reported via the crash dialog). This is the worst because I can't seem to get around it.

I have a multi-chapter book. I have about 150 hours into the book (that is, the files have collectively been in use for that elapsed period of time, opening, writing, pasting, cross-referencing, saving, closing).

I have been trying to create a cross-reference (paragraph text and page number) from a position in one file to a Head1 in another file of the same book. All files in the book are open in ID and apparently error-free according to Preflight.

1. I initiate the xref in the xref panel. The xref db displays.
2. I choose paragraph text and page number.
3. I choose the other file from the pull down.
4. I scroll to and click the Head1 style.
5. Crash.

I have tried doing the cross-ref from another place is the referencing file. No dice.

I have done a cold reboot. No dice.

very frustrating.

I have not yet tried to do a different type of Xref or an xref to a different file (because, well, what caused the crash is what I'm actually trying to do).

-j

[Nedlaw]

Update:

The problem appears to be centered on one file. I have successfully done cross-refs to other files without a problem.

On the target file, I saved as IDML, opened the IDML file, put that into the book and attempted to do a cross reference to it.

Crash.

Any suggestions on how to rectify this? I supposed I could cut and paste the text (and illos) of the entire chapter into a new file...

-j

[Eugene Tyson]

Did you do IDML on both files, file you're creating it in - and the file you're targeting?

If the above fails - then on both documents - here's something to try

1. Create a new file with the same margins and the same size etc.
2. On one file that isn't working open it - and move your pages to the new document

Repeat this for the 2nd file (with a new document with the same margins and size etc.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iW7ZYx7iv0&ab_channel=CreativePro

[Nedlaw]

Excellent suggestions (including your links). Thanks.

I did create IDML for both documents and, after re-adding the documents to the book, I attempted to do the Xref once more. This crashed ID yet again (I uploaded the report via the dialog. I think this is time 8 or 9.)

I suspect that something is... um... altered beyond the ability of re-loading from IDML to rescue it. It might be a problem with the book file or some quirkiness I have triggered in 18.3. (I'm thinking it's some odd horizon condition, since it crashes with the same kind of Xref between the same files even after multiple re-boots and IDML saves & reloads).

While Move Pages as explained in the video would be a huge time saver, I suspect that it will also "move" the problem -- whatever that problem is -- since I don't know all that Move Pages moves. I will go with the nuclear option of cutting/pasting into a fresh document that has all styles/running heads/other formatting already in place  (I use a template for each new files). Then comes the fun of re-hooking up all the between-file Xrefs that bear on both files! I will report back. 

Thanks for your tips. In happier times, Move Pages would be a kick. This one wretched Xref has brought production to a halt.

[Nedlaw]

Something is seriously wrong.

1. I created two new files from template - one for the cross-referencing document and one for the target of the cross-reference. I named the new files.
2. I copy-and-pasted the text from the old documents to their respective new documents, and saved them both under their new names. In this process I sacrificed any existing outside-the-file Xrefs in both files, which I will have to restore.
3. I created a new book file (just in case it was the book file at fault), and added all chapter files to that new book in their proper order.
4. I opened all files from the new book (and then saved them with shift-control-alt-S.
5. I went to the position in the referencing file where I wanted to make the cross-reference.
6. ...and from the Xref db I selected paragraph text & page number, pulled down the target file name, scrolled to the H1 style, selected it... and CRASH.

At this point I believe I am past easy work-arounds. Production must continue. I will avoid this Xref and see what happens with the NEXT Xref. If anyone has any suggestions about what to try here, I am all ears, as Willie the Shake said.

Thanks.

-j

[Eugene Tyson]

You completely ignored my advice and did it your own way.

Will you please try my method?