Creative Cloud Document Updates Not Recognized in InDesign

Report · Dec 27, 2024

I’m experiencing an issue with Creative Cloud documents not updating in InDesign. To clarify, this is specifically about Creative Cloud documents, not Creative Cloud Files.

I’m using InDesign 20.0.1 x64 and Photoshop 26.3.0.

To test this, I created an InDesign document and placed two Photoshop files:

One from my local drive.
One that is a Creative Cloud document.

I then edited both Photoshop files.

When I reopened the InDesign document, it correctly detected that the Photoshop file from my local drive had changed and updated it accordingly. However, it ignored the Creative Cloud document. Even though the image in the document was outdated, the Links panel still showed it as "Up to Date."

I understand that support for Creative Cloud documents in InDesign is relatively new, but I haven’t been able to find any information on whether this behavior is expected or if it’s a bug.

Any insights or solutions would be greatly appreciated!

Report · Dec 27, 2024

Hi @MortimerCat,

Thanks for reaching out, and I understand how this could be frustrating. To help troubleshoot, could you please share the following details:

1. What is the operating system that you are using (e.g., Windows or macOS)?

2. Is this issue specific to one Creative Cloud document or happening with all such documents?

2. Has the issue recently started, or has it been ongoing for some time?

3. Could you confirm if your internet connection is stable while working with Creative Cloud documents?

In the meantime, please try the below suggestions:

1. Ensure your internet connection is stable, as syncing Creative Cloud documents relies on connectivity.

2. In the Links panel, right-click the Creative Cloud document and select Update Link to manually refresh it.

3. Open the Creative Cloud Desktop app and confirm that the document is fully synced. If not, force a sync by signing out and back into Creative Cloud.

4. Clear InDesign's preferences and cache to rule out any local issues. You can reset preferences by holding Ctrl+Alt+Shift (Windows) or Cmd+Option+Shift (Mac) while launching InDesign. Reference: https://adobe.ly/4fyMn4D

5. Try linking a different Creative Cloud document in a new InDesign file to see if the issue persists.

If possible, let us know if there are any error messages when you attempt this.

Let me know how it goes!

Best,

Abhishek Rao

Report · Dec 27, 2024

Thank you for responding.

I am using Windows 11 with InDesign. This issue occurs with all documents—I’ve tested it with both older files and newly created ones to see if I could get an auto-update. Although I’ve used linked files in the past, this is my first time linking to Creative Cloud documents.

For context, my current project is a set of tarot cards. Over the past few months, I’ve been updating 234 Creative Cloud documents, seamlessly sharing them between my Windows desktop and an iPad. This workflow has worked incredibly well. Even when I replaced my desktop, the Creative Cloud documents continued to function without any issues. So, I’m confident there are no connectivity problems.

I’ve gone through your suggestions, but unfortunately, none of them resolved the issue.

To illustrate the problem, I’ve attached a screenshot. In my test, I added a red smiley layer to one of my PSD documents and placed it in an InDesign document. I then removed the smiley layer in Photoshop, which updated correctly in the Creative Cloud Desktop (note the green checkmark). However, when I reopened InDesign—even after closing and restarting the application—it didn’t detect any change, and the Refresh button remained greyed out.

The only way to update the image in InDesign is by manually relinking it, which serves as a workaround but isn’t ideal.

Report · Dec 27, 2024

Hi @MortimerCat,

Thank you for the detailed explanation and the screenshot—it’s incredibly helpful in understanding the issue. I appreciate your thorough testing and efforts in trying out the suggestions.

From what you’ve described, it seems like InDesign isn’t recognizing updates to Creative Cloud-linked files automatically. Would you mind trying the below suggestions and let us know how it goes:

1. Manually Force Syncing in Creative Cloud
- Open the Creative Cloud Desktop App.
- Navigate to the “Files” tab and check if syncing is complete. If you notice any delays or interruptions, pause and resume syncing.

2. Test with a New Project and Link
- Create a new InDesign document and place a Creative Cloud file.
- Make a minor edit in the linked Creative Cloud file and save it. Check if the issue persists in the new document.

3. File Relinking Workaround

While manual relinking isn’t ideal, you can use the “Relink All” option in the Links panel to quickly refresh all linked files in the document.

Let me know how it goes or if you encounter any new details—I'm here to assist further!

Best,
Abhishek Rao

Report · Dec 27, 2024

From what you’ve described, it seems like InDesign isn’t recognizing updates to Creative Cloud-linked files automatically.

This describes the problem exactly.

1) I tried forcing syncing again but no difference. But over the last few days I have watched the syncing happening correct. I see the status changing as expected, and I can see the updates from other machines. So I don't think syncing is the problem

2) The screenshots are from a new document. I have created a few over the last few days, none have ever detected a cloud document update.

3) The screen shows my latest experiment. Top left is the cloud document, bottom right is my local drive. I removed the red layer from both. The link to the local drive immediately spotted the change.

The update button is only enabled for the local drive PSD, but even with an ALT-CLICK (update all) the cloud document was not refreshed.

Report · Dec 27, 2024

Hi MortimerCat,

Thank you for the detailed follow-up and your testing efforts. Since the syncing appears to be working fine and the issue persists with cloud-linked files, let's try isolating the issue further.

Please create a completely new InDesign document, place a cloud document link, and make a minor edit to the linked cloud file. See if the update gets recognized in the new document.

This will help us determine if the issue is isolated to specific files or if it persists with all cloud-linked files.

Let me know the outcome, and I’ll assist you further from there.

Best,
Abhishek Rao

Report · Dec 27, 2024

I created a new Photoshop file with the red pattern.

Next, I created a new InDesign, linking the red pattern file.

I then added the blue paint to the photoshop file, and waited for the green tick to say sync was complete.
When I reopened the document in InDesign, no changes were detected.

To summarise - I have never been able to get InDesign to recognise a cloud document change, either with existing files or newly created ones.

Report · Dec 28, 2024

FYI
I happened to be in a position where I was able to load a fresh installation of Adobe Creative Cloud - leaving everything as default. The result was the same - InDesign will not recognise a changes made to cloud documents. I even tried the latest beta version.

Indesign 20.0.1 x64
Indesign Beta 20.1.x64 (Mainline CI #040a3c3)

Report · Dec 30, 2024

Hi MortimerCat,

Thank you for your patience and the detailed updates. I’ve reviewed your findings and shared the next steps for resolving this issue via a direct message (DM) on the community platform. Please check your inbox for further instructions.

Let me know if you have any questions or need additional assistance. I’ll continue to support you through this process.

Best,
Abhishek Rao