Error Code 6: Unable to Open Damaged InDesign File After PDF Export

[Chelsea Camille5FA3]

Hello!

I hope all is well. have tried all adobe articles on InDesign troubeshoots, crashed files, damages files. But I can't seems to open the InDesign file, and when I click on it is says "Cannot add data to "file name" the file "name" is damaged. (Error code: 6). I have tried to drag and drop the InDesign file here because I was able to save it to desktop. The damaged file started after I exported the InDesign file as a print pdf actually. I'm rarely on here so if you guys are able to help in any way to open and recover the file it would mean the world!<3 I will check back here when I can but my email is: (personal info removed by MOD)

Is there an Adobe support email I can contact directly about this issue if they are able to help?

<Title renamed by moderator>

Thanks so much again!

Chelsea 

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @Chelsea Camille5FA3,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Would you mind trying the suggestions shared here. In the meantime, we are looking at the file you shared with us. We'll investigate the issue and let you know if the recovery is possible. 

Best,

Anshul Saini

[Anshul_Saini]

@Chelsea Camille5FA3, we tried to fix this file, but it can't be repaired.
Would you mind confirming your workflow? How did you create this file? What caused the corruption of the file? What action did you take? Where was the file stored?

Best,

Anshul Saini

[Chelsea Camille5FA3]

@Anshul_Saini Hello, 

Oh no!:( I appreciate you trying to fix the file though!

And yes! So I just opened a new document and started inserting jpg images and text. And then I exported as a Adobe print pdf I believe. Then I went to open that pdf but it wasn't able to open on Adobe acrobat, I believe it said something along the lines of, "already being used by another application" which I've already opened that pdf on Adobe Acrobat. But after reading they notice I wasn't able to open it. And then I tried opening the InDesign file on InDesign to try and export it again. But that's when it said, " cannot add data to (file name). The (file name) is damaged (Error code: 6). And that's when I tried looking online and on YouTube. But I can't afford some of the ways they said to save it. And then coming here was my next resort to ask for help.

I did save a copy during the middle of my workflow but it doesn't include half of the new information+edits I made. So at least I'm able to open that but I would just have to do the work again. Do you think it's the way I exported it? I was hate for this to happen a second time. 

Best,

Chelsea Camille  

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @Chelsea Camille5FA3, 

Thank you for sharing the information. Please share if the file is stored locally or on a remote storage server.

Additionally, please share the operating system details and the InDesign version details. 

We're here to help and will look forward to your response. 

Thank you, 

Abhishek Rao

[Chelsea Camille5FA3]

@Abhishek Rao Hello,

I stored the InDesign file and pdf file on my desktop. I apologize, but how to I share the operating system details? And the version is InDesign 19.5 I believe. Hope this helps, and I appreciate you guys!

Best,

Chelsea Camille

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @Chelsea Camille5FA3,

Thank you for providing all the necessary information. For further details about your operating system, you can refer to the following resources:

• For macOS, check out “Get system information about your Mac - Apple Support (IN)” on Apple Support.
• For Windows, you can follow: View your system info - Microsoft Support through Microsoft Support.

Considering that you have a partially completed file and the original file is not opening, we recommend creating a backup of the partially completed file in both idml and indd formats once you complete it. This is a safety measure.

Furthermore, it would be beneficial to record your screen while following the whole workflow till the issue. This will allow us to refer back to your workflow if needed in the future or help if the issue continues with the new file.

We’re here to assist you and look forward to your response.

Thank you, 

Abhishek Rao

[Alfi Suraya38014473ov1m]

I got the same problem. I tried changing the data recovery but it still didn't work. Please help me this is my work :'( i've done 350+ pages layout in here. And now i can't open the file. I'm so depressed and stress HUHUH.

[Eugene Tyson]

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/kb/troubleshoot-file-issues.html

If all else fails there's an email address in the link.

Do you have any backups? What OS are you using?
Windows has a built-in feature called Previous Version if that'ts active you might be able to recover something.

If on Mac do you have Time Machine working or any other backup like iCloud?

Do you save your files anywhere else? Backup to Dropbox/Google drive or other?

[Alfi Suraya38014473ov1m]

No i don't have any backup. I use windows 11 version 24H2

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Alfi Suraya38014473ov1m,

I'm sorry to hear about the stress you're facing with this issue. Since you're on Windows 11, steps you can try to recover your file:

1. Check Previous Versions:

-Right-click on the folder where your file was saved and choose Properties.

-Go to the Previous Versions tab. If the feature was enabled, you might see an earlier version of the file that you can restore.

2. Check Temporary Files:

-Open File Explorer and navigate to C:\Users\[YourUsername]\AppData\Local\Temp.

-Look for a file with a similar name to your document.

3. If none of the above works, you can share the file for testing. 

Additionally, consider the link for reference: Troubleshoot damaged InDesign documents.

Let me know if these steps help.

Best,
Abhishek Rao

[Eugene Tyson]

I strongly recommend from now on to keep backups, Windows Previous version is very good - you can find out online to operate that.

And strongly recommend backing up to external drive and/or cloud storage as much as possible. 

As pointed out already - you can troubleshoot the step yourself in the link I posted.

And there's an email address you an send your file to to see if it can be recovered. 

If you like, you could send a Direct Message with a link to your file, or you could host the file somewhere online so we can download it and see if we migth have any luck with it. 

There are many free file sharing hosts, if you are not sure of any let us know and we can direct you.