How do you Import/Graphic AI files in Indesign without the whole artboard importing

[Hanzel]

Previously you could place the illustration in an ai file as large as possible in a frame in Indesign (Shift, option, command E). Now the page size of an ai file is decisive, not the illustration. I find this much more difficult. How do you solve this, apart from having to convert the page size of each illustration (read logo) in Illustrator to the size of the illustration?

[Eugene Tyson]

Click the  option to Show Options

If you 've already placed the image and want to change it - I found a script years ago that allows you to access the show options again without having to re-place the file

https://creativepro.com/script-show-options-files/

This article I wrote about it goes through the steps.

[Hanzel]

This is not what I mean. Until a few months ago an AI file was NOT placed dependent on the page size of illustrator but on the size of the illustration. I want that again

[Eugene Tyson]

I think once you set it up once it sticks - so as @Steve Werner illustrates with his screenshot - select the option and I believe that will be default.

But there's no change in the way it works - probably just went back to the top option on a reinstall.

So you show your options when placing then select the one you want

or you use the script to invoke the Show Options

either way it should stick going forward.

[Scott Falkner]

You might have just discovered the selection is sticky. That means if you use Import Options to change the cropping of a placed Illustrator or PDF file (same thing, really) to something other than you are used to it will become the default for future imports.

A shortcut for accessing Import Options is to hold Shift as you confirm the file in the Place dialogue. That is, hold Shift when you click Open or press Return or Enter. 

[Steve Werner]

There are no changes in the way Illustrator files are placed in InDesign 2025 versus previous versions. When you choose Import Options, the choices are the same:

[Hanzel]

That's it, choose "import options" and than "Art" thanks Steve