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

[karinh11446705]

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>

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Kristen32431722aq5x,

Thank you for sharing the details and screenshot. I completely understand how disruptive this issue can be, especially when saving frequently is part of your workflow.

From what you’ve described, it sounds like the issue may be linked to how InDesign is interacting with the network server where your files are stored. To narrow down the cause, try the below:

1. As a first step, could you try saving the same file locally on your machine instead of the network server? This will help confirm if the issue is specific to the server connection. If saving locally works without issues, it points toward a network-related cause.

2. Since files are stored on a network server, there’s a possibility another user or application might be accessing the same file simultaneously. InDesign might interpret this as a conflict and prevent saving. You may want to confirm with your team if others are working on the same files at the same time.

3. Files stored on network servers have to pass through multiple hops between your machine and the server. If there’s any delay, packet loss, or temporary disconnection at any level (e.g., network switches or server performance), it can interrupt InDesign’s ability to save.

 - I’d recommend reaching out to your local IT team to check for any recent server or network changes that might be contributing to this behavior.

4. InDesign works best with network servers running SMB 3.0 or later. If the server uses an older version of SMB (like 2.0), you may experience intermittent saving issues. Please ask your IT team to verify this.

5. Ensure you have proper read/write and delete permissions in the network folder. Also, old temporary lock files (.idlk) can sometimes linger and block saving. Your IT team can check and clear these out.

Please try saving the file locally as a test and let us know how it goes. If it works, we can continue to narrow down network-related factors with your IT team.

Looking forward to your feedback, and we’ll do our best to get this resolved for you!

Best,

Abhishek Rao

[RLChris121]

This save error just happened again, so I thought I'd update this thread. I can save a file again and again for days, then the next moment it says it cannot be saved, that it may be opened by another applications. (Of course no one else has access to it and I am the sole person using the file.) At this point - I've come to expect this error to occur whenever I use InDesign and it's vitally important that I save my progress.

I just put up with it using the "save as" workaround to a different name, closing InDesign and renaming the latest new file to the old name, and opening it again so I can continue working - until I need to save again.

Another way to save your work when this ERROR happens is to use Save As and choose the IDML format... you can then close the real file, open the IDML version and resave over the old one using the original name and format.

All of these "workarounds" are very handy when you don't feel like simply clicking on "Save" to update your file. Jumping through hoops to update our files keeps us on our toes and brightens our day. <sarcasm>

[Kristen32431722aq5x]

I have been able to pin point when this error occurs for me.
Whenever I open a file directly from the Indesign home page, recently used files, theres no issue at all with saving. However, if I'm opening an ID document from my file explorer that's when I cannot save it and have to rename the file.
I still have no idea how to fix it but at least I know when it's going to happen.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Kristen32431722aq5x

What kind of view you've set in your Explorer window?

Small / large icons - that has been reported to "lock" file for preview - or Details?

[Kristen32431722aq5x]

That's interesting, it's set to details.

Do you know what the best view is for this issue?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

That's interesting, it's set to details.

Do you know what the best view is for this issue?

By @Kristen32431722aq5x

I thought that details would be? 

Can you try with every other option? 

Or maybe Bridge is run in the background - or any other software that tries to make a preview - or somehow "locks" the file? 

[Kristen32431722aq5x]

Ah, I had preview on with detailed view still.
Just tried in detail view with no preview and it worked!!

Thank you so much! 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Ah, I had preview on with detailed view still.
Just tried in detail view with no preview and it worked!!

Thank you so much! 

By @Kristen32431722aq5x

You're welcome. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@RLChris121

So if you hit Save / Ctrl+S aand get error - you then can't do Save As with a new name or export as IDML? 

Doing Save As with a new name - gives you two good things: 

1) backup copy of your document 

2) purges Undo History. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@RLChris121

Can you try "no preview" in the Explorer option? 

[RLChris121]

If I create a new document, or open an existing file - create some edits to it, and save it without error why does it save properly without error for an unspecified number of times and then without warning tell you it cannot be saved as you have been saving it already in the same editing session - when no changes to preferences or location were made?

I understand what you say about the preview option in Windows file explorer and how it can often cause Adobe Acrobat to treat a file as being is use by another application. So I know to avoid that issue. Sometimes the Save error occurs without file explorer being open at all and I choose my document from the InDesign "Recent" list of existing documents.

Just opened file explorer in detail view with Preview selected - pulled up my document until it showed in the Windows File Explorer preview window, Double clicked on the file name to open it in InDesign. Opened without error, Made some edits to the document and re-saved it. No issues occurred. No errors. Sadly it still seems random.

Clicking "Save" in the InDesign file menu or using CTRL "S" should be a no-brainer every time.  But what would life be without unexpected surprises, eh?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@RLChris121

What's the folder you're working on? 

Is it local or remote - server, VPN? 

Cloud service? 

[JemShaw]

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!