Exporting to PDF stuck at 0%

[fendr63]

When I try to export a document from InDesign 5.5 to PDF the file is stuck in the queue at 0% and I have to cancel the export in background tasks. I've tried restarting InDesign and my Mac (running Sierra 10.12.6), disabling Preflight, dumping the preferences file and exporting a new blank document but nothing seems to work.

I can export to PDF if I create a new Book and import my InDesign file into it and then export from the Book pop up menu but this isn't very convienient. I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

[Laubender]

Hi fendr63,

is this with every document? Also with one that contains not much?

Then I would say it's a compatibility issue between your old InDesign CS5.5 and your OS X 10.12.6.

What you can try:

Instead using a "background" process with background tasks try to export in "foreground" so that a progress bar is visible with your export to PDF or any export to other file types. You can change to that "mode" of exporting with the following steps:

[1] Quit InDesign

[2] Create a new text file with TextEdit with no formatting. That's a toggle mode with TextEdit.

[3] Save it to exactly that name: DisableAsyncExports.txt

[4] Put that text file to the folder where your InDesign CS5.5 application is installed.

[5] Restart InDesign and do your export.

NOTE: I never tested this with InDesign CS5.5. For InDesign CS6 this is working.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[fendr63]

Hi Uwe,

thanks for the reply. The issues happens with every document even an empty one. I've not had the issue before this week and have not updated either my OS or Indesign so it's odd that' it's suddenly causing a problem.

I've also noticed that the problem is only when exporting to PDF, every other format - jpeg, eps, etc work fine.

I've created the text file as you suggested, quit InDesign and dropped it into the folder that contains InDesign and restarted it but I still have background tasks. Can you have a look at the screenbrab please and let me know if the file is in the fight place.

Thanks

[fendr63]

Quick update.

I've tried restarting, dumping the prefs etc again and I can now export to an Interactive PDF without problem. This isn't much use as my work is all print based so I need to be able to export multiple pages with crop/trim marks and bleed

[Laubender · Accepted solution]

Hi fendr63,

yes, it's at the right place.

So this trick is working with InDesign CS6 and above and not with CS5.5.

Next thing you could do:

Use a script for PDF Export that utilizes the "old" export method from InDesign CS4 and below.

Let's see if I can still find the code I posted several years ago.

Found it there:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign/indesign-export-still-quot-working-away-quot-over-10-hours-t...

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Laubender]

Oh! You tried to export to PDF Interactive?

That's a totally different thing. My script is for export to PDF ( Print ) only.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Laubender]

For export to PDF (Print) please try my script that I linked to.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[fendr63]

Hi Uwe,

Thanks, the script worked and I can now export print ready PDFs. It's a bit more long winded than just clicking cmd+e to export (it's now an automatic habit for me) but it does mean I can send jobs to the printers.

Thanks for your help

[Laubender]

Hi fendr63,

you can give every script in the Scripts panel a new keyboard shortcut.

Edit > Keyboard Shortcuts…

From the help of InDesign CC, but with CS5.5 it's quiet the same, I think:

https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/customize-menus-keyboard-shortcuts.html

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )