Participant

Answered

Cannot Save Documents in InDesign CC 2018—Error When Working from Server

Forum|Forum|7 years ago
June 14, 2018
5 replies
11530 views

Hello everyone,

I've upgrade to Indesign CC 2018 (13.1.0.76) from CC 2017 and now everytime I want to save a document (new or existing) the same error message appears.
"Cannot save the document. It may be opened by other aplications. Close applications and try again. You may also use Save As to save it into a new document."

The Save As option works fine, but for my worklow this is unacceptable. When I work localy, the problem doesn't present itself only when I want to work from a company server. I have permission to read and write on the server. I have no idea what the problem is.

Before updating everything worked fine in the 2017 version.

I know there already exist a topic about the same issue, but it was never solved and its already a few years old.

So i thought I open up a new one.

Does anyone have a solution??

<Title renamed by MOD>

Correct answer Rishabh_Tiwari

It always works when I save it to the desktop. Problem in that is I keep all my files on an external hard drive, so I have opened it from the external hard drive, but it won't save back to it--even when I tell it to replace the old file.

Sorry for the delay in response. Please try the steps shared below:

First go to System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Accessibility -> Unlock in lower left -> Add desired Adobe Softwares -> Make sure they are checked
Next, scroll in the left column to "Full Disk Access" -> Add desired Adobe Software -> Make sure they are checked
Lock in the lower left
If open, software will need to be quit and restarted for changes to take effect.

Let us know if this helps or if you need any further assistance.

Regards

Rishabh

N

Nicole3630066585dq

Participant

I have been having this issue ever since i received an InDesign update 2 days ago. Your solution above does not help. I am working in a corporation where files are stored on a SharePoint drive whereas this is where they are also saved. I had no issues prior to the update. Please advise

leo.r

Community Expert

If you’re on Windows, then check out this thread:

Is that the problem you’re having?

A

Amy23607979jdvh

Participating Frequently

I have the same problem likely after upgrading the InDesign application to newer version. I cannot save my file every time I edit the form. It said “InDesign is unable to perform the requested operation on the file, it has been damaged”.

N

Nicole3630066585dq

Participant

I just had the same thing and I tried the solution to be of ZERO help.

leo.r

Community Expert

JemShaw

Inspiring

Why, after so many years, does Adobe continue to blame any imaginary problem that occurs to them instead of admitting that, as this problem occurs only on their increasingly flakey products, it's something they need to fix. I run Windows 11, fully updated, my CC applications are up to date, so are my screen drivers, passport and TV licence. I save to the SSD on my machine. No one else uses my machine and every non-CC application saves reliably. Just once, Adobe, break your usual habit and actually fix something your subscribers have suffered from for years!

Randy Hagan

Community Expert

Are you saving these InDesign files to a cloud-based location? Or opening it from there on multiple computers?

I ask this because almost universally when you cannot save a file, but you can always save as with that file, it means there is a conflict between the previously-saved file and the InDesign-created temporary file which holds changes made to the document.

There are a number of reasons why that would be, as well as options for fixing the problem. Sometimes it's a conflict between file types/suffixes between InDesign template and document files. Sometimes it has to do with network file privileges and stepping outside those privileges when working with InDesign files. Generally, it happens by juggling InDesign files between cloud locations and local/network folders.

We'd need some more information from you to discern which situation(s) apply to your problem, because what you're doing to create the symptoms will determine what fixes will cure your problem. I've got my suspicions, but it's hard tellin' not knowin' your specific situation. With more information, we can help you find the cure.

Randy

S

spookie2

Participant

I have the same issue--cannot save document- may be open in other applications- however I don't know where else it may be open. I work on a mac and save all my work on an external hard drive. So I don't know where to look to fix it. Help please!

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Save errors keep occurring randomly and just happened once again on another document. Good grief!

Don't have these issues with other vendors' software with similar filenames and paths..

I am able to "Save As" and usually add the date to the end of the filename and save it in the same exact location as the original refuses to save to. (This renaming makes the filename and path even longer) and it saves fine.

Funny how I can open and work on the file, and at any random time after I have alread been working on it -- without warning the Adobe file refuses to save and the Adobe product gives the same old error. This is a persitant and recurring problem with various Adobe software. (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator.)

Why does it say file may be opened by other applications, when I am working on the only file available to any user? I can save the file to another filename as the Adobe error suggests, and then I can open it also. (I'll give you a nickel if you can guess what happens when I try to save it?)

Never have similar issues saving my work using software products from other software manufacturers using same computer, network, file folders, etc. Saving is a basic necessity and I would imagine an important part when choosing software to create files and invest dozens of manhours to complete projects with.

Saving work seems to be problematic as this error was reported in this thread 6-1/2 years ago in June 2018 and it is still causing same errors at the end of 2024.

Hi @RLChris121,

Thank you for providing detailed feedback and sharing your ongoing experience. I completely understand how frustrating and disruptive these saving issues must be for you and your team, especially given how long this has been persisting.

To address the issue you're encountering, please consider the following steps:

1. Long file paths can sometimes cause saving errors. Try moving your file closer to the root directory of your shared drive (e.g., /SharedDrive/ProjectName/) to reduce the path length and see if that resolves the issue.

2. Even if permissions look correct, compatibility issues with shared servers can trigger these errors. Ensure your server is configured to use SMB 3.0 or later, especially if you’re on macOS. This can improve communication stability with InDesign.

3. As a quick test or temporary solution, try saving the file locally on your machine first and then moving it to the shared drive manually. This can help rule out server-related communication issues.

4. While rare, conflicts with background apps accessing the same files can trigger this error. Ensure that no other applications are trying to access the same document, even indirectly. Restarting your system might help here.

If none of these steps resolve the issue, I’d greatly appreciate it if you could share additional information about:

Your operating system version (macOS, Windows, etc.) and the version number.
How the file is stored (e.g., on a network server or local drive).
Whether you’re experiencing this issue with specific files or all files.
Screenshots of the error message(s), if possible.

Please let me know if you can try these steps or provide the requested details. We’re here to support you and will do our best to get to the bottom of this issue.

Thanks,
Abhishek Rao

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

What operating system are you running?

K

karinh11446705Author

Participant

I'm running Windows 7 Professional; 64 bit.

Bill Silbert

Community Expert

I suggest speaking to your network administrator to see if the network software being used has been updated to be compatible with CC 2018. Since you are still working on Windows 7 it seems likely that your network has not been updated and could be quite old. Aside from that I would suggest working locally and backing up to the server at the end of each work session.

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