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Lilex26111763p3is
Participant
September 14, 2022
Answered

I can't open old indesign file

  • September 14, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 449 views

I have indd files created with an older version (I think it's CS2 Windows version) that I can't open on CS5.5 (Mac OS version). When opening: an error message tells me that I am missing 2 plugins (GenericPageItem and Image). I got these 2 plugins from the PC where the CS2 version is but the format of these plugins (rpln files) does not correspond to the format of the CS5 plugins. I also tried exporting the file from Indesign CS2 to IDML file but I don't have that option; the only export options I have are: eps, pdf, html and prepess file in SEP format which is not readable from CS5. I thought that a file created with an older version could be opened with a newer version. How can I open these files? Thanks

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Peter Spier

    CS5 should, indeed, open older files, so there is something odd here.

    I dug out an old laptop running Win XP that still has Version 2.0 through CS5 on it. When I open an old file in CS2 and go to File > Export ... the third option in the list is InDesign Interchange (That's .inx).

    I'll be travelling this weekend, but I can take this laptop with me and use it to open your file and have a look if you like. I should be able to convert to CS5 for you.

    2 replies

    Peter Spier
    Community Expert
    Peter SpierCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 14, 2022

    Both of those plugins are required and should have been installed with the program in the Required folder in the InDesign application folder. if they are not there you probably can't run InDesign at all.

    CS2 used the .inx file format for interchange, .idml was introduced in CS4. .inx is not as robust as .idml, but I just checked and it should still open in any newer version (opens here in version 17).

    If you want to send me a link to the .indd file in a private message Click on my name) I'll see if I can get it to open here on my windows system.

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    Lilex26111763p3isAuthor
    Participant
    September 16, 2022

    Thank you for that answer. My cs5 version works perfectly but I just can't open files created with the old version (isn't cs5 supposed to open older files?) How can I export to inx? As indicated in my post, I don't have this possibility in the cs2 export options

    Peter Spier
    Community Expert
    Peter SpierCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
    Community Expert
    September 16, 2022

    CS5 should, indeed, open older files, so there is something odd here.

    I dug out an old laptop running Win XP that still has Version 2.0 through CS5 on it. When I open an old file in CS2 and go to File > Export ... the third option in the list is InDesign Interchange (That's .inx).

    I'll be travelling this weekend, but I can take this laptop with me and use it to open your file and have a look if you like. I should be able to convert to CS5 for you.

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 14, 2022

    That's a seriously ancient set up but one thing you could try is exporting the file from CS2 to INX and then opening that in CS5.5.

    L
    Lilex26111763p3isAuthor
    Participant
    September 16, 2022

    Thank you for that answer. How can I do ? As indicated in my post, I do not have this possibility in the export options

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