Fix a Corrupted InDesign File After a Crash and Failed Recovery

[textualist40349006]

Hi,

My InDesign app crashed, and the automatic recovery didn't work. An Adobe error report keeps popping up and close the app.

I can open the file through "Open Recent," but it seems to be corrupted since I'm unable to save it as a PDF or IDML.

Is there a way to repair this file? Should I copy-paste the content to a new file ?

Thanks!

<Title renamed by MOD>

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

If you can open - you should be able to export as IDML. 

If you can copy contents to a new document - you should do it ASAP. 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @textualist40349006,

Thank you for reaching out, and I’m sorry to hear about the issues with your file.

To assist you more effectively, could you please let us know which version of InDesign and operating system you’re using? Moving the content to a new file might be a good approach, but I recommend following the advice of our expert first. It would also help if you could share the affected INDD file with us for a closer inspection.

In the meantime, you might find this article helpful for recovering your document: Recover InDesign documents (https://adobe.ly/3yUNyvV)

Looking forward to your response so we can work on a solution together!

Best,  
Abhishek Rao

[textualist40349006]

Hi,

Thanks for your message.

I'm using the 19.5 version, Windows 10 Professionnel.

I just tried to move the pages to a new document, but same issue occurs, An Adobe error report pops up and close the app.

Please find attached my INDD file.

(I sent the report to Adobe support the first time it crashed)

Thank you

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @textualist40349006, 

Thank you for sharing the file. 

We could not reproduce the issue on our end as the file is opening fine here. Could you please share with us a screen recording of the workflow that you follow to the issue? 

We will wait to heat from you. 

Thank you, 

Abhishek Rao

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Hello @textualist40349006, 

Thank you for sharing the file. 

We could not reproduce the issue on our end as the file is opening fine here. Could you please share with us a screen recording of the workflow that you follow to the issue? 

By @Abhishek Rao

It's opening - and it can be saved - but when you try to do IDMLing - it crashes.

[textualist40349006]

Exactly, thanks.

I can't export a PDF or IDML.

And for example, I tried to do a find and replace font and it crashes.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Exactly, thanks.

I can't export a PDF or IDML.

And for example, I tried to do a find and replace font and it crashes.

By @textualist40349006

Looks like the problem is on pages 32-33...

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

YES, after removing this spread - logical 32-33 - and Saving with a new name - new file can be IDMLed.

Attached.

Sorry, at some point - I've removed all the graphic files so will have to prepare it again.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

New file attached.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

The problem is on Page 32.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

And this is the problem:

InDesign crashes when trying to copy this frame.

Attached is IDML file without this one group.

[Robert at ID-Tasker · Accepted solution]

Or rather the problem is with the graphics element in the background as, after ungrouping - TextFrame can be copied - and file IDMLed - so the problem is definitely with this graphics:

@textualist40349006, you should be able to open your original file, remove this group and create new one from scratch - or ungroup, delete the "background" graphics and create new one - and your file should be like new.

[textualist40349006]

Ooohh Yeaaahh, thank you so much, Robert!! It's working now. You really saved my day (and probably my job, since I need to deliver this work to our client by tomorrow). I honestly thought I had lost everything. My bad for not making regular backups... Thank you again!😊

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

You are welcome. 

You can mark it as a "Correct answer" if you wish 😉

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

There is something strange happening with this file - or it's because of the scripting approach:

It chokes for a 1-2 seconds on the page 32 - but then keeps going...

InDesign is sort of locked - is clickable but you can't close or save document and InDesign needs to be killed in Task Manager.

When opened again, InDesign immediately crashes:

Then, after anoter restart:

and after selecting NO - InDesign starts normally.

But in the "manual" mode - it crashes instantly:

I was hoping that this would be a much faster way to diagnose corrupted files - but it looks like it's back to "divide & conquer" approach and Export.

Exporting as a PDF and separate pages doesn't work either:

Instant crash.

At least export single page PDFs via script works - and InDesign crashes when exporting page "32" - so all good.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @textualist40349006,

Thanks for letting me know. I tried and see the crash on IDMLing (thanks to @robert). If the file is crashing even when trying to export as IDML, there’s likely a deeper issue with the document. You can try the below steps and update us: 

1. If possible, try opening the file in a different version of InDesign (19.4) to see if the issue persists. Sometimes a different version can handle the corruption better.

2. Remove or relink any placed files or fonts to see if one of them is causing the crash.

3. Try saving the file to a different location or under a new name can help. Also, try saving it on a different drive if available.

Let me know how it goes!

Thank you, 
Abhishek Rao