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dinsyp
Inspiring
June 16, 2025
Answered

Error when try to import pdf into InDesign

  • June 16, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 1606 views

Hi People,

 

Wondering what is happening with the new InDesign PDF Import option. Even when I attempt to import a PDF which was created in InDesign (V20.4), it fails with the message "Some features of this PDF are preventing it from being converted". A useless feature if it can't be used I feel.

 

The only app in the CC collection that appears to have no problems importing my sample document is Photoshop.

 

I've attached a sample file.

 

Regards

 

Andrew

 

 

Correct answer Dave Creamer of IDEAS

I've also updated InDesign today.

 

  1.  Select File/Open (or just click the Open button)
  2.  Select the file in the list.
  3.  Click Open.
  4.  InDesign begins the conversion process
  5.  InDesign says no

 

Wondering if its something to do with our Enterprise installation.


It has to upload the PDF to the Adobe servers. It's possible your IT dept. blocked the ports/domains. 

Not sure if this will help, but show them this:

https://helpx.adobe.com/enterprise/kb/network-endpoints.html

 

 

3 replies

J
Jay26079195ii3f
Participating Frequently
June 18, 2025

I gave up on this feature. Not just unstable, its crashed InDesign many times and also the output produced is mostly useless. They should just stop this advertising this and work on fixing the other more important bugs. Canva is better.

D
dinsypAuthor
Inspiring
June 18, 2025

Or perhaps convert to Word within Acrobat and place the text into InDesign. I also am going to give up on this feature.

J
Jay26079195ii3f
Participating Frequently
June 18, 2025

I totally agree with this work around. I tend to use PDF2ID as its the most reliable I have seen over the years.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
June 16, 2025

The attached PDF was not created in InDesign. It's from a browser.

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
D
dinsypAuthor
Inspiring
June 17, 2025

True, but its a standard PDF so in theory should be able to be imported. Unless the open and convert is only available for pdfs created by InDesign.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
June 17, 2025

Are you importing it [Place] or converting it? 

Two different options. 

 

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
davecourtemanche
davecourtemanche
Inspiring
June 16, 2025

Do you mean Open & Convert a PDF to an Indesign file? It's working for me, though the quality of the converted PDF leaves a bit to be desired. I think it's meant as a worst case scenario recover to rebuild.

D
dinsypAuthor
Inspiring
June 17, 2025

Yes I do mean open and convert.

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