Exporting a PDF from indesign 2026 with placed indesign files BUG!

[maryl91873679]

I create a weekly grocery ad. Every item is created in .indd and saved as .indd. Normally, I open a new weekly ad PAGE file and PLACE the .indd files. Since the upgrade to InDesign 2026, there is a bug that when creating a pdf file... NONE of the PLACED images appear after the pdf is created. (see attachment) The cheese and crackers photo, the Christmas bulbs, and the background (all PLACED photoshop files) 

Lots of workarounds floating around - none of which worked.

If i were to make all my indd files (thousands) to IDML, it works great in Affinity, but not InDesign. I don't really want to have to do this, and may just jump ship after using InDesign for over 25 years.

Please advise timeline for fix!

Thank you.

Mary

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @maryl91873679,

Thanks for sharing this. I know how frustrating it is when a workflow that has been stable for years suddenly breaks. Could you confirm whether the main weekly ad file was originally created in InDesign 2026(21.0, 21.0.1, or 21.0.2) or if it was created in InDesign 2025 and then opened in the newer version? It would also really help to know the version in which the individual linked INDD item files were created. 

I tested this on my side by creating the main file in 2026 (21.0.2) and placing one INDD file created in 20.5.1 and another created in 21.0.2. Both exported correctly to PDF. Since the behaviour isn't reproducing here yet, a bit more information about your setup will help me understand what might be unique about your case.

If possible, please share one affected main file along with a couple of the placed INDDs, so I can run the same test with your files. If the files are confidential, feel free to send them via DM using any secure cloud service like Google Drive or Dropbox.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

[leo.r]

It appears to be a known bug in InDesign 2026. Check this thread for more info:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/problems-exporting-to-pdf-indesign-2026/m-p/1559...

[leo.r]

...this might also be related, not sure:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/linked-indesign-20-5-files-rasterize-when-export...