Files are corrupted if I click save during PDF export

[firewired7]

This has happened to me twice today - I didn't see the document was still exporting and clicked save. It created a corrupt PDF file, and the InDesign file was also corrupted and would not save. I restarted InDesign, and tried it on another computer even, and neither one will open. Looks like I'm starting over again. I'm working in InDesign 2025 on Windows 11.

When InDesign tries to recovery the file, it says, "Not all spreads can be hidden." and gives me the option to Unhide Spreads. I click this and then it either crashes or just sits there and spins. In the past when I clicked save during an export it I have never had a problem. Maybe something with this latest update?

[Mike Witherell]

In my experience, if InDesign is busy doing something (exporting a PDF) it will not allow me to do anything else until it is done. I often impatiently click on next things, but it just ignores them until good and ready. I'm not sure why you are experiencing what you are experiencing.

Would you care to describe the two documents this happened to? Anything unusual about them?

[firewired7]

Hey Mike, thanks for your quick reply. Nothing unusual about the documents. The latest one was a simple full page ad with a few photos and text, and the usual links to .ai/.eps logo files. I've never had a problem with clicking save while it's exporting before, and I've sometimes tried to close a document when saving and it gives me a message and says it will close when it's done.

The document this happened to earlier today was a 4 page brochure. Again, nothing unusual about it, but I thought it was done exporting and clicked to save the file, and it created a corrupt PDF and and InDesign file. The difference here is that one was able to recover itself which was great because I would be pretty unhappy if I had to redo that brochure. The ad was not able to be recovered for some reason, and made InDesign freeze upon opening that document. 

I submitted the error report on the second one, so if there is a bug I hope this helps.

If you have any other questions for me I'm happy to answer them in hopes to get a resolution for this problem. I'm a bit trigger shy on the saving now in fear that this will happen to one of my 40+ page projects.

[Mike Witherell]

For example, are you using an unusual font like a variable opentype font?

Do both documents have a same graphic that might be corrupt?

BTW, favor operating with .AI files or even .pdf files; but avoid using .eps files. They cannot color-manage.

Did you patch up to InDesign 20.0.1?

[firewired7]

Yes, I did patch up to 20.0.1.

I've been using all of these fonts for the past 6 years without issue, but I will list them here:

The fonts I'm using are: 

1. Compacta Blk BT
2. Futura PT
3. Dunbar Low

They probably share an image - I can't remember the exact file that crashed earlier because it recovered ok and I've worked with quite a few InDesign files. The image that I think they share is a .psd file.

I did not realize that about .eps files - I will make sure to favor using .ai files going forward.

Thanks

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@firewired7

2025 is quit buggy - so there might be the problem.

Also, you mention, that you've kept working on recovered file? 

That's a big no-no. 

If InDesign crashed and recovered your file - you can bet that there is / will be a problem. 

After crash - you should always do at least Save As with a new name - and then do IDMLing - export as IDML, open, save with a new name - do not overwrite your original file. 

[firewired7]

Oh wow I will do that going forward. I have always just saved over the original file and never had a problem, but I will be sure to take these precautions going forward. 

If they are aware that it's bugggy, I hope they will release an update soon.

Thanks.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

You should do Save As with a new name daily - at the end of the day - then next day work on a newly saved copy. And you also get a backup copy. 

The "problem" is in the way InDesign saves files. When you click Save - complete current Undo History is saved - but is accessible only untill you close your document. 

After you save and close your document - this Undo History is still part of the file - but is unaccessible - and every time you open your document - needs to be analysed. 

When you do Save As with a new name - InDesign purges all this garbage. 

IDMLing goes a bit further - it strips all previews and does much deeper housekeeping.