Cannot overwrite InDesign 2023 files after updating to InDesign 2024

[Erin32160754kowv]

I updated to Adobe Indesign 2024 this morning and now cannot save over my Indesign files that were created with 2023 version. Every time I try to save over I get an error message that it is damaged. If I save under a new name it saves fine, but we rely on overwriting/updating files that are made in different departments across the company and it is a real drag on workflow to go in, delete the old file and then rename the newer file.  We have uninstalled and reinstalled several times as well as restarting the computers. Any suggestions would be very helpful.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

A bit strange workflow - overwriting live files... 

Anyway, if that's only for using the same names - why can't you select destination file - to get it's name in InDesign - then switch to the folder and delete the file - then go back to InDesign and finish the save? 

[Erin32160754kowv]

Not really. Saving the final by overwriting an existing file isn't really that strange. Multiple people are not working on the file at the same time. Rather than just hitting save, going through all of the extra steps just to save the file is a pain. Adobe should make sure that when they release a new version that it is compatible with previous versions. 

[BobLevine]

Sounds like a permissions issue. Have you checked with your IT folks?

[Erin32160754kowv]

It isn't a permissions issue. IT has been involved. 

[Yes_Absolutely_Not]

Ditto, same issue, and saving over a file is actually normal, not that "around your elbow..." method of saving as.

[defaultql86e42gcovh]

Similar but different problem over here. I just got a new Macbook Pro 16-inch (Sonoma OS) and I'm using InDesign as before. When I try to "save as" (which as a designer I'm in the habit of using; it's engrained in me to NEVER just press "save") to make a PDF of my work, it says it's overwriting the old file, but when I open the file, it's the same PDF as before. The time-stamp has changed so it should be the recent updated, but it's still showing the previous iteration of the PDF. What is going on? Anyone else having this problem?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@defaultql86e42gcovh

In order to get PDF - you should Export. 

Save As is to save INDD file. 

[defaultql86e42gcovh]

Thanks for your response! I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention. I was actually going to:

File > Adobe PDF presets > [High Quality Print] and the PDF that usually 'exports' over the old one doesn't seem to be overwriting it anymore, ever since I updated my computer/operating system/Adobe. Does that make more sense?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@defaultql86e42gcovh

Do you use any kind of cloud backup with synchronisation service?

What is the folder you are exporting to? 

[defaultql86e42gcovh]

Hi Robert,

No, I don't have a cloud backup set up. And I'm saving to my desktop.

[leo.r]

No, I don't have a cloud backup set up. And I'm saving to my desktop.

By @defaultql86e42gcovh

If you delete the existing PDF prior to exporting the new one, does InDesign create it as expected?

[defaultql86e42gcovh]

Interesting question. I can't see why it wouldn't, but I will have to try that.

[defaultql86e42gcovh]

Update: If I delete the previous PDF, and then try to save under the same name, it somehow magically reverts to the old PDF. For example, I made a pdf from InDesign yesterday. It was 3 pages long. I went back in and added a page of photos, so it was now 4 pages long. I deleted the old PDF. I exported to PDF, saved it as the same name as the InDesign file, and when I opened it, it was still the old 3-page document. What the heck?! All this is happening on my desktop. On a brand new computer with the latest updated Adobe software.

[Erin32160754kowv]

Neverending fun from the rollercoaster known as Adobe. As they continue to increase the cost of a CC subscription obviously that money isn't going to product testing and development to make sure that the increase in cost is reflected in the quality of the product. 

[defaultql86e42gcovh]

So true. Not sure what my workaround will be, except to have a system where I name every PDF by a new number, I guess. Thankfully I work alone. I can create my own janky Adobe workaround.

[riedi]

Hey Erin32160754kowv - did you ever get an answer to your original problem? I'm having the same issue and getting the same message. Doesn't matter if I use Save or Save As.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Hey Erin32160754kowv - did you ever get an answer to your original problem? I'm having the same issue and getting the same message. Doesn't matter if I use Save or Save As.

By @riedi

Is it a newly created file - or some old one? 

Can you try IDMLing? Export as IDML, open, save with a new name. 

[riedi]

old, new, doesn't matter. Old files open just fine. I can create a new files but I cannot save them either.  Any files. Indesign won't let me save using a different name. I did try saving as IDML, doesn't matter. I just bought a new iMac and migrated the files from the old to the new computer. I kind of suspect it has something to do with the file transfer. Also, I don't want to save my files to iCloud. I want to save them on my computer like I did on the old computer.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@riedi

Where are you trying to save? What is the full path? 

Can you save to any other folder? Network? USB drive?

Maybe you just don't have write rights?

When you open existing INDD file - do you see a "lock" file in the same folder with a similar name?

Something like this:

[riedi]

I don't see any Indesign lock file (idlk) and "Save" is grayed out on everything. It won't save anywhere.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I don't see any Indesign lock file (idlk) and "Save" is grayed out on everything. It won't save anywhere.

By @riedi

Can you - manually - outside of InDesign - copy any file to the same folder? 

[riedi]

I can copy and paste a file to the desktop. And I can move it to a folder on the desktop, and it appears to be saving it to the cloud, as I briefly see the icloud icon appear and then quickly disappear. I can now open the desktop file, edit it and  save it to the same desktop folder, which again I believe is in the cloud. So I'm guessing some or all of my files are in the cloud. I bought this new iMac not realizing it had less storage than my old Mac Pro tower. I don't know if I can flush this new iMac and bring it back to where it was before I began the migration process.

[leo.r]

And I can move it to a folder on the desktop, and it appears to be saving it to the cloud, as I briefly see the icloud icon appear and then quickly disappear. I can now open the desktop file, edit it and  save it to the same desktop folder, which again I believe is in the cloud.

By @riedi

Disable syncing of your Desktop and Documents folders to iCloud:

System Settings > Internet Accounts > iCloud Drive 

[riedi]

Thank you leo.r  That helped remove some of the confusion I had but I'm still getting the original message as described by Erin32160754kowv  at the top of this post. I can make a new folder on my desktop and save my Indesign document there, but it won't let me save as or write over the old original document file.