File location shows as file name when opening recent document

[AJ12170409]

As you can see in the screenshot below, some of my files are showing the entire file location rather than a file name. I tried creating new folders and saving the InDesign files there. I've tried renaming, which I thought worked for a while until I renamed the Spiders file and it then developed the same issue. Can someone explain what's happening and how to fix it? I apparently have OCD about this because it's bothering me in a big way... Thanks!

[Steve Werner]

Where are you seeing those file lists? Is something going wrong that is interfering with your work?

Also, tell us more about your system: Please tell us what operating system (exactly) you're running. Please tell us (exactly) what InDesign version you're using.

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Hi @AJ12170409,

Thank you for reaching out, and sorry to hear that your file shows the full name of the location, which we understand is very frustrating. 

Please check the below steps, which might help us resolve the issue-

• Please check if your file name contains special characters, such as spaces, slashes, or question marks.
• Please check If you have a file name that is longer than this limit, InDesign will show the file location instead of the file name.
• Please check if your file is located in the network folder. This can happen if you are not connected to the network or if the folder is not shared.

Let us know if that helps. We will be happy to help.

I am also keeping the discussion open for our expert's suggestions.

Thanks,

Harshika

[John Mensinger]

This happens to me too, particularly when "versioning" results in multiple files with same or similar names piling up on that menu. I suspect the engineers built in full path display in as a failsafe to prevent:

samefilename.indd

samefilename.indd

samefilename.indd

...which would all surely have differing paths (seeing as they couldn't exist in the same folder). Path display is the only way to differentiate them. You wouldn't want to have to guess which one is where.

I suspect this menu also has some OS tie-in's that foster the behavior. I doubt you can change it.

[AJ12170409 · Accepted solution]

@Steve Werner @John Mensinger @HARSHIKA_VERMA I am on a mac version ventura 13.2.1, and I have the almost latest version of InDesign (18.2.1). The drop-down list when you click on File > Open Recent is where the issue was occurring. 

BUT!

I was actually able to solve the problem by accident when Adobe support was helping me fix the slow performance issues. After following their steps, which involved going into the "library" folder in the Go tab on Finder and changing file names associated with performance and caches, the file names showed up properly. It probably did have something to do with the file names getting a little convoluted. Thank you all for the assistance!

[HARSHIKA_VERMA]

Glad to hear you are able to resolve the issue, and thank you for sharing the solution on the post which might help future customers.

Please feel free to reach out to us in the future. We would be happy to help.

Thanks,

Harshika

[leo.r]

If I understand your question correctly, then this is an expected behavior - and is actually helpful.

You only see the full path for the files whose name is the same BUT the location is different.

Otherwise you wouldn't know that your identically named files were open from different locations.