Can't Export Page Range in Indesign 2023

[Tynan27027201hwjs]

I have a document with a 4 pages, laid out as one continuous spread. It's for a big print add, so the actual (total) size is quite large (W 220” H72”). When I try to export the entire document into PDF as a spread (single page, or single page continuous), I get an error saying the The document page size exceeds the page size range supported in PDF files. So my exported PDF is cut off (the width seems to be cut off, but not the height).

Then, if I try to export only the first two pages (so, split my export in half), I am unable to choose a page range successfully. When I select Range, the only option I have in the drop down is "All Pages." And when I highlight "All Pages" and type 1-2 into the box, Indesign accepts the change but still tries to export all 4 pages anyways, resulting in the same error as above.

Can anyone help me? How do I export a design at the proper size for my printer?

[Peter Spier]

We need to see your pages panel and know waht the document setup is...

[Tynan27027201hwjs]

Here it is. This is a function in Indesign that I'm new to, so perhaps I set it up incorrectly. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

You're sort of trying to do two incompatible things — lay out a large, segmented page and then print just part of it. One way to print just part would be to export it to PDF, then crop the PDF in Acrobat.

But maybe there's a better way all around. Is this actually four separate pages, intended for printing as a folded brochure? Or are you just trying to get that large layout size by seaming standard pages together? None of what I see quite makes sense as an approach to printing. If it's something like a brochure, you're going to have printing only on one side. If it's a poster sort of thing, you don't need to use pages in a spread — you can just set it up as one page, probably with some scaling (e.g. use 4:1 or 10:1 scaling in the document and let export/printing take it to full size).

Some more details about what you're trying to accomplish might lead to some better/good suggestions about how to get there.

[Tynan27027201hwjs]

Thanks! This is for a 4-pane window spread, so I've laid it out in Indesign exactly as it will appear in real life (hence the large size). The printer will be printing it as 4 separate pieces (1 piece of vinyl print for each window pane). I suppose I can send the final print file as 4 separate pages in a PDF. However, today we are at the review stage of the project. I want to send a cohesive PDF to a few people (the advertiser, the printer, some team members) for final approvals, proof-reading, and overall quality assurance. So today, I was trying to export it into a PDF that would be visually representative of the final result. Open to any suggestions! 

[Tynan27027201hwjs]

Just adding in - the only reason I was trying to export 2 pages on their own, was in an effort the entire design into export 2 smaller PDF files, as a work around to the original error I was receiving (document page size exceeds the page size range supported in PDF files). Ideally, I'd love to be able to send one PDF file with the entire design laid out in the same format as it would be on the window panes, in real life.

[Peter Spier]

You can export your four individual pages (and I would set up that way), then place those into  a new 2-page file for your spread-view proofing.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Okay, it sounds like four pages for the panes is a valid approach. However, you don't need to work to full scale for large format work... there are many good reasons to work scaled. I often use picas — actually, I always work in picas — to substitute for inches, so no math is required to work in 1:6 ratio. The output to PDF will be vector, and scale to any size, including billboard GF; the only thing you have to use care with is any raster graphics.

If you can back up and scale your whole project (from a duplicate file, of course), you'll get around all of these app limitations and get generally speedier response times during development as well.

[Tynan27027201hwjs]

Thanks, this is great advice.

[Scott Falkner]

You could place the InDesign file into a new InDesign file that is one page at, say 1:8 scale. Import each page into a frame, line the frames up, then export that as a one-page PDF. Updates to the master InDesign file will show up in the reduced version.

[Peter Spier]

OP says overall size is 220 in x 72 in, so definitely not a brochure. Sounds like a mural.

PDF is, for practical purposes, limited to 200 x 200 inches, so this needs to be set up as two PDFs on export. That's slightly smaller than InDesign's maximum of 216 inches, but it could, in theory be done full size.

@Tynan27027201hwjs is there a reason you chose to set this up as four pages rather than two? For what it's worth I have the same experience trying to export two-page spreads from a 4-page file that large, but setting up as two pages I can export single pages to a single PDF with no problem. I suspect this is a bug, and it seems to go back many versions -- also present at least as far back as CS6.

[Tynan27027201hwjs]

This could be a work around for sure.  The window panes also have gaps and framing materials around them, so I set up a layer in my indesign file with graphics that mock the frames - much easier to do accurately with 4 pages. Still, this suggestion is something to keep in mind for future projects like this.

[Thunder-Lightning · Accepted solution]

You were getting all 4 pages when you were exporting pages 1-2 as Spreads is correct because you have shuffled all four of your pages as a spread in your document. Just like in a document with facing pages, if you only choose the right hand page to export but as a spread you will get the left hand page as well.

If you only wanting to export pages 1-2, perhaps temporarily shuffle/move pages 3-4 out from the spread then export pages 1-2 as Spreads. 

Hope this helps.

[Tynan27027201hwjs]

Great solution. Thanks.

[jackiel32915502]

Same problem.  No solution, I have found yet, for only exporting 1 page now from a multi-page layout, and my pages are set up as single pages, spread view.

[Maria323648387aog]

Same situation for me. I have changed Page Numbering to 'absolute' and still cannot export single pages.

[Thunder-Lightning]

Would you mind share a screenshot of your print dialog box when you print?

[jackiel32915502]

I posted in a different post someone suggested rebuilding the preferences and gave this link and it fixed the issue I was having.  https://www.rockymountaintraining.com/adobe-indesign-rebuilding-preferences-cache/

[Rishabh_Tiwari]

Hi,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Please share a few more details like:

-The version of InDesign & OS.

-Is this happening with a specific file or multiple files?

-A screenshot of export settings and if you're getting any error.

Thanks

Rishabh

[McK8]

Hello Rishabh,
Thank you for contacting me!

Using Indesign CC 2024 on Sonoma 14.4.1

Though we keep current, an OS update earlier this week after writing in seems to have somewhat fixed the issue.

I tried different files and the ones that don’t seem to be working as expected are all foldouts; in other words, 3 pages wide or in the case of one exceptionally large one, 8 pages. The 8-pager is a large file—only 30” wide in size, but with many illustrations. I wanted to, for instance, select only pages 3-7 to display as a spread, but Acrobat will not limit the PDF to only those selected pages. Acrobat either makes the entire spread or single pages only.

Thank you again for being responsive. I truly appreciate it!! LMcK


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[McK8]

Same for me... I've been creating PDFs with selected pages forever, but suddenly cannot. 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I am still not convinced there isn't a fundamental barrier to trying to print "a spread within a spread," here.

I use the three-page book cover layout method, and I don't recall ever being able to print or export just front+spine or rear+spine from the spread. I've had to separate the layout to get such output, or crop a full PDF.

[McK8]

Ok. Maybe I was dreaming! Thank you.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Or, just slightly different iteration of setup and need. A lot of times these "I suddenly can't do _____" problems turn out to be two different situations. (And, I won't rule out that something has changed in how ID handles spread export, either! Just that I've used a similar layout, and had the need to do a partial export, and don't recall it ever being possible. But that's a narrow case.)