Skip to main content
C
Chris26953238qfn0
Inspiring
October 15, 2024
Answered

File won't open in InDesign 2025

  • October 15, 2024
  • 10 replies
  • 6319 views

I just updated my CC apps such as Ps, Ai, Id, etc. All seem fine with the exception of the current Id file on which I'm working that won't open. Other Id files open but not this one. It's some 87 MBs but I'm able to open other ones as large or larger.

I had quit the app before updating. I have also since restarted my Mac.

Any insights would be much appreciated.

Correct answer Steve Werner

You can reinstall InDesign 2024 are reopen it again to work on. (Never a good idea to do an update when you're working on a critrical product.)

 

Go to Creative Cloud desktop app > Apps section. Show All Apps.

10 replies

C
Chris26953238qfn0Author
Inspiring
August 14, 2025

Does anyone know whether this issue has been resolved in the latest version?

Anubhav M
Community Manager
Anubhav MCommunity Manager
Community Manager
August 14, 2025

Hello @Chris26953238qfn0,

Would you mind sharing a link to a sample file after uploading it to Dropbox/Google Drive/etc, and screenshots of the problem/error message here or via DM, so I can check it with the team?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

C
Chris26953238qfn0Author
Inspiring
August 14, 2025

Hello Anubhav;

If you follow the thread beginning from the OP you will note that your request is not appropriate nor necessary. A well informed and sentient Adobe Employee should be able to provide a definitive answer on the spot.

Chris

J
JAD_the_mad
Participant
November 7, 2024

Hi Everyone, I've had a reply from Adobe and they are working on a fix for this which will be part of the next update. Although they did not say when that woud be. If you are able to install the 2024 version and open your files, then from there you can save them as idml files and following this you might be able to open them in the 2025 version. If it works you'll need to relink all links. in your document.

    thekohlervillager
    thekohlervillager
    Known Participant
    October 30, 2024

    Yeah, this is dumb. I do a monthly newspaper and reuse the previous month's file for the next issue as a template. I can open October, but not November, which I just finished. So I tried copying/pasting each page from Nov. into the Oct. file template, but everything I pasted on each page is grouped into one frame that I can't ungroup. So basically there's no way to open November in Indesign 2025 without completely redoing the layout. Good thing it's all proofread and off to print! 😖

      L
      Linda21983495rf9u
      Participant
      January 8, 2025

      My issue exactly! It's frustrating, everything I copy and paste from a previous version is flattened into an image. I can't edit the copy. It's useless!!! Crazy waste of time. It reminds me of the stupid way Microsoft Word works. It's pathetic that sophisticated software like InDesign doesn't allow its latest version to be integrated with its last version. We all have years of files in-house that we need to pull from and we can't waste time reinventing every design we've ever created. We have deadlines to meet.

       

       
       
       
       
       
        J
        JAD_the_mad
        Participant
        October 30, 2024

        Same problem here. I installed Indesign 2025 and 80 page book I was working on refused to open without any error messages.. just nothing. Other documents with the same fonts and styling opened without issues. I have backup copies in time machine going back to August and none of them opened. I sent the file to Adobe who said it was down to corrupted links and sent me the file back... which didn't open!

         

        This morning I reinstalled the 2024 version and my original file opened without any problems.  

         

        Great news for my book but now I'm stuck in the 2024 version and newer jobs have been saved in the 2025 version so I cannot access them until I update again! With these new jobs I tried the reverse conversion process but it doesn't work.

         

        This is completely unacceptable. Adobe needs to sort this out urgently.

          P
          pbix65
          Participant
          October 21, 2024

          I am having the same problem. I can't imagine that anyone had a file open when trying to install/update the new version as it forces you to close all apps before it'll continue. This answer isn't helpful. There's obviously a glitch.

            L
            l5381453
            Participant
            October 28, 2024

            Agreed, I'm having the same issue. The standing answer should not be to simply reinstall 2024. My InDesign opened a file the one time 2025 actually launched, then crashed on startup every time after. Now 2024 says the file is too new to open! Adobe needs to fix this issue asap and should not release software that's clearly not ready, given this major, critical issue.

            K
            kristen_1476
            Participant
            December 5, 2024

            Same problem here...so frustrating 😞

              C
              Chris26953238qfn0Author
              Inspiring
              October 16, 2024

              Some questions remain in my mind.

              Why did that one document fail to open when others did?

              How wide spread was this issue?

              When was InDesign 2025 released?

              Does Adobe monitor these forums to be alerted about issues like this?

              How soon can we likely expect a fix?

                c.kurtz
                c.kurtz
                Inspiring
                November 4, 2024

                Same problem Nov. 4th with Version 20.0 on Apple 15.0.

                 

                  C
                  Chris26953238qfn0Author
                  Inspiring
                  October 16, 2024

                  Well, reinstalling InD 2024 [19.5] and uninstalling InD 2025 [20.0]. Seems to have done the trick.

                   

                  Thanks Steve and Jeff.

                  C
                  Chris26953238qfn0Author
                  Inspiring
                  October 16, 2024

                  Can/should I install InD 2024 (19.5) first without uninstalling InD 2025 (20.0)?

                  I'm on an iMac 27" with all palettes laid out on a second monitor. What I'm trying to avoid is resetting up the second monitor.

                  Once I find that the file I need to open does indeed open, then can I uninstall InD 2025?

                  J
                  jeffyerkey
                  Participating Frequently
                  October 16, 2024

                  Chris,

                  I am certainly no expert, but I would install 2024 first. 

                  C
                  Chris26953238qfn0Author
                  Inspiring
                  October 16, 2024

                  So, having both versions installed is not an issue?

                  Steve Werner
                  Community Expert
                  Steve WernerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
                  Community Expert
                  October 15, 2024

                  You can reinstall InDesign 2024 are reopen it again to work on. (Never a good idea to do an update when you're working on a critrical product.)

                   

                  Go to Creative Cloud desktop app > Apps section. Show All Apps.

                    J
                    jeffyerkey
                    Participating Frequently
                    October 15, 2024

                    Hi Steve,

                    Fortunately, my ID 2024 copy is still on my Mac. I chose to uninstall ID 2025 for now until further notice.  I'm SO SICK of Adobe shipping not-ready-for-primetime software.  Arrgh!

                      J
                      jeffyerkey
                      Participating Frequently
                      October 15, 2024

                      Urgent - I am having the same problem!  

                      I cannot open yesterday's files today.

                      I can create new InDesign files but not open existing ones!

                      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
                      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices