CS5.5 (InDesign) Compatibility With Calalina OS

[Dave7000]

I have used InDesign for text documents for decades. When attempting to install Mac Catalina OS the program states that it will no longer support CS5.5. I'm OK with this EXCEPT, I will no longer be able to open to review my decades worth of InDesign (INDD) documents. Will Adobe send Apple support for CS5.5 or is there any other way to review the old documents without InDesign.

Thanks for any assistance.

[John T Smith]

CS6 and earlier are EOL (End of Life) and will NOT be updated for new hardware or operating systems

Do NOT upgrade to Catalina if you must use your old InDesign

[MJ S]

Hi Dave,

I second John's information.

You also asked if there was any other way to review the old documents without InDesign. When you say "review," I'm assuming you don't plan on editing them, but rather have access to them. If that's correct, and you do plan to upgrade to Catalina at some point, you could convert your indd files to pdf for viewing later.

If, however, you want to continue working on your indd files and also want to upgrade to Catalina, QuarkXPress will be releasing a Catalina-compatible version in the near future, and it will open/convert indd files for continued editing. I have minimal experience with Quark, but my understanding is that it continues to evolve, so may be a good option.

[MW Design]

QXP 2019 October update (due end of October) will support Catalina.

This version will add the ability to convert .indd files, but it really depends on ID still being installed and automates conversion of .indd to .idl files is all. And so this wouldn't be of much use to the OP running Catalina already.

QXP has had the ability to convert .idml to QXP for a couple versions. So I typically recommend using Peter Kahrel's Export script, which will convert all .indd files to .idml, pdf, etc, eiether individually, a folder or a drive of .indd files. Of course, one could subscribe to ID for a month to do this if reverting the OS isn't a viable option.

Mike

[Nancy OShea]

Creative Suite users hit the end of the road with Mojave.  Do not upgrade to Catalina unless you are fully committed to new 64-bit software.  Creative Cloud products are updated to maintain compatibility with newer operating systems.  But Creative Suite is not.  You use CS5.5 at your own risk.  Some people install an older OS on a virtual machine or 2nd computer in order to keep using their legacy 32-bit software.

[Barb Binder]

"I have minimal experience with Quark, but my understanding is that it continues to evolve, so may be a good option."

So does InDesign. That's the beauty of the subscription model. I would expect the November 4 upgrade of the CC apps will also support Catalina, but won't upgrade my OS until this is confirmed.

~Barb

[MW Design]

That's the beauty of the subscription model.

Oh now Barb, that isn't an effect of subscription. It's Adobe adding value to a particular business model.

Quark, since version 9 has added new features, enhanced existing features and bug fixes 2-3 times during a version cycle. But it was still a perpetual license model.

Mike

[MJ S]

Hi Barb, was just responding to the OP with regard to alternatives, but to respond to your comment, I'm on Catalina and CC has been working flawlessly for the following apps for me: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Bridge, Lightroom (Classic and Cloud-based) Animate, AfterEffects, and Acrobat/Distiller. But, you know, technology can be fickle so what works flawlessly on machine running Catalina may not on another. Waiting for official confirmation is always a good choice.

[rob day]

Before you upgrade to Catalina you might consider cloning your OS that is running CS5 to a fast SSD drive—1TB SSDs cost around $150. Look at an app like Carbon Copy Cloner, which can clone a bootable drive. Then you can view and edit CS5 documents, and use other 32-bit applications by starting up from the clone drive.