Skip to main content
C
chocolatechipmeringue
Inspiring
March 7, 2019
Answered

Can't import PDF, Pages, Word, or RTF. Why would Indesign do that?

  • March 7, 2019
  • 6 replies
  • 6474 views

Just got the 2019 version of Indesign. And to my frustration, it won't let me import any of the docs in my title.

If I try to import Pages, I get this: “…Adobe Indesign may not support the file format, a plug-in that supports the file format may be missing, or the file may be open in another application.”

I get it the same with one of the others--can't remember which. I also get a message to convert the doc into an Indesign doc. How can I convert to an Indesign doc if the app prevents me from uploading ANY doc?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer BobLevine

Sounds like you're trying to open them, not place them. They should all place with the exception of Apple Pages. You'll have to save them as RTF.

6 replies

rob day
Community Expert
rob dayCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 11, 2022

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/supported-file-formats-indesign-cc.html

E
Eric21817795afp0
Participant
March 11, 2022

Thanks, Rob -- this link is informative.

 

For some reason Adobe sent me an email saying the "correct answer"

was Bob Levine's "Sounds like you're trying to open them, not place them."

This 2019 answer may have been correct to a query posted at the time,

but was patently not a correct answer to my question.

 

Oh well, at least it's confirmed that Adobe spurns Pages

(which I don't particularly like, but some of my clients do;

neither do I like the klutzy new version of Word I was forced
to buy when my old iMac died).

 

 

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 11, 2022

Bob's answer was correct to the original post. You will need to start your own post when you have a different question, regardless of how similar they are. 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
    P
    Pijnacker01
    Participating Frequently
    March 16, 2019

    Via PDF, you can import with  a third-party tool, such as Markzware PDF2DTP. This converts multi-page PDFs of any sort (even those from Pages and such) into fully editable InDesign layouts with live text and the works. Here is a recent interview with a happy customer of ours:

    The Simon Group - Marketing agency using PDF2DTP - PDF to InDesign - YouTube

    Friendly regards,

    David Dilling

    of Markzware, makers of PDF2DTP

    JonathanArias
    JonathanArias
    Legend
    March 11, 2022

    Hello David,

    Not sure how this solution relates to the issue been described?

     

     

     

    Srishti Bali
    Community Manager
    Srishti BaliCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    March 11, 2019

    Hi there,

    I think Bob is right, you are trying to open those files instead of placing them. Please check out this help article for more details about the supported formats in InDesign: Supported file formats for InDesign CS5.

    Regards,

    Srishti

      Derek Cross
      Community Expert
      Derek CrossCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      March 7, 2019

      There are a number of free InDesign tutorials supplied via the Adobe Creative App yon would find useful.

      Adobe InDesign Learn & Support

        BobLevine
        Community Expert
        BobLevineCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
        Community Expert
        March 7, 2019

        Sounds like you're trying to open them, not place them. They should all place with the exception of Apple Pages. You'll have to save them as RTF.

          E
          Eric21817795afp0
          Participant
          March 10, 2022

          Isn't it astounding that ID can't import Pages text files? Is there any rational reason?

            Dave Creamer of IDEAS
            Community Expert
            Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
            Community Expert
            March 10, 2022

            >>Isn't it astounding that ID can't import Pages text files? Is there any rational reason?

             

            Yes--for the limited number of users of Pages that need to convert to InDesign, it's probably not worth taking the programmers' time to code the translation. The same is true for Microsoft Publisher. 

             

            David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
              John Mensinger
              Community Expert
              John MensingerCommunity Expert
              Community Expert
              March 7, 2019

              So let's be clear about it. Tell us exactly what you're doing with those files. File > Open? File > Place?

              InDesign won't open those file formats. Start a new file, then use File > Place and navigate to a PDF or Word .doc. Select it and click the Open button. You should now have a loaded cursor. Click on the page. Does that work?

                Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices