Illustrator file does not appear correctly when imported to InDesign

[hekselsior]

So I have sets of illustration in separated artboard (same layer) in Illustrator. But when I am importing it to InDesign, some parts of the illustration is missing. It occurs on some illustration, especially reused graphic asset from Freepik. 

Funny enough, this isn't happening using the previous version of Indesign. Right now I am using the current latest 21.0 (not beta).

What I have done for the workaround;

• saved into a new file, only the error artboard. not working.
• saved the error artboard into EPS, works. But I wish everything works in native format. 

illustration in Adobe IllustratorImported to InDesign

[leo.r]

Funny enough, this isn't happening using the previous version of Indesign. Right now I am using the current latest 21.0 (not beta).

By @hekselsior

If you can consistently reproduce it in InDesign 2026, while not in InDesign 2025 with the same Illustrator files, then it sounds like a bug in InDesign 2026. Are you also using the same import settings? Click Show Import Options when you place Illustrator files in both versions.

[hekselsior]

Can't say it's a consistent occurence. Some assets from stock graphic works just normally, some don't, but ONLY happening in the current InDesign (v 21.0). I was working with the same file with previous indesign never had this problem at all. I do use "Show import options" as well. 

Yes I guess it's a bug. 

[Jon31417863q2ip]

I'm seeing the same issue. Inconsistently, but definely there. Opening the file in previous versions works completely fine, and exporting as a PDF shows the files properly... just seems to impact Illustrator files that are imported to InDesign and, at least for me, directly conincided with the 21.0 update.

[leo.r]

Another user has just recently reported an issue with the rendering of placed Illustrator files in InDesign 2026:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/indesign-21-0-update-not-rendering-imported-illu...

[George3180124968l7]

I've been having the same RANDOM issue with AI files not dispaying properly when placed in InDesign, and this only started happening about a month ago, after a couple of Illustrator and InDesaign updates. (can't recall which one).

After a long time of testing, I figured out a quick fix for Illsutrtor files no displaying right. I opend the Illustrator file in question,  and I made a NEW LAYER, and moved the artwork to that new layer,  deleted the old layer, saved the files, then updated the link in InDesign,  and that finally worked!

This seems like an Illustrator layer problem where is somehow renders OLD artwerok that was moved or edited, and then the file re-saved. This has randomly happened with bth new and old illustratort files. Adobe, you need to get your act together with all these udates that keep breaking things!! Or stop releasing updates until you test them properly!!

[ivy_8550]

Hello,

Since your EPS workaround is proof that the vector data itself is fine, here's the quickest and most effective fix to try on the native AI file:

Open the Illustration in Illustrator.

Select the entire illustration (the one with the missing parts).

Go to Object > Expand Appearance.

Then go to Object > Expand... (check both Fill and Stroke options).

This process simplifies complex strokes, effects, and gradients into basic paths, making it much easier

Best Regard,

harriet

[hekselsior]

thanks for the suggestion, I will try it later and see if it works. 

[Jon31417863q2ip]

Since updating to InDesign 21.0, files created in Ilustrator (vs. 30.0) seem to drop colors randomly when Imported to InDeisgn. The files render properly when exported as PDFs or even JPGs. Seems to only be when viewed in InDesign. Files I open that were generated and saved in the previous version of InDesign render the files accurately, this is specific to the 21.0 update. Display settings are set to High Quality Display and I've attempted an uninstall/reinstall of the software all to no avail. Images below: Top shows the file as it should appear, bottom file is once imported to InDesign 21.0. To my knowledge, no changes have been made to either file other than opening them in the latest version of each piece of software. Preferences have not been modified as far as I can tell, and neither file was directly modified since updating the software. It may be that some setting was changed in the background when updating, but I can't find anyting that was changed that could be causing this. Both files worked flawlessly prior to last week's update.

 

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @Jon31417863q2ip,

Thanks for sharing the details and screenshots. I tested this with Illustrator 30.0 files placed into InDesign 21.0 but couldn't reproduce the color drop issue on my end. Could you please confirm which OS version you're using and whether this happens with all Illustrator files or only specific ones?

Also, please check if you're saving your Illustrator file with the 'Create PDF Compatible File' option enabled before placing it in InDesign. If possible, could you share an affected sample AI file where this issue appears, so we can test it further? A short screen recording showing the save process in Illustrator and then opening the same file in InDesign would also be really helpful.

Looking forward to your update.

Abhishek

[leo.r]

Other users also report issues with the rendering of placed Illustrator files in InDesign 2026:

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/illustrator-file-does-not-appear-correctly-when-...

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for sharing the details and observations. I'm currently checking this internally with the product team to see if we can reproduce the behavior and identify what's causing it. I'll update this thread as soon as I have more information.

In the meantime, it would be really helpful if you could share the affected Illustrator (.ai) and InDesign (.indd) files after packaging them. You can follow the steps here to package your file: https://adobe.ly/4hJM3CE.

If your files are confidential, please share them via DM using any secure cloud-sharing platform like Google Drive or Dropbox. Having these files will help us greatly in investigating and reproducing the issue.

Looking forward to your update.
Abhishek

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi everyone,

Thank you for your patience. I checked with our product team about this behavior, where certain Illustrator (v30.0) files appear partially or drop colors when placed in InDesign 2026 (v21.0). The team is aware of similar reports from the community and UserVoice and is currently investigating them.

Currently, we have been unable to reproduce the issue internally. Having your affected Illustrator and InDesign files will greatly assist us in narrowing down the issue. If possible, please package and share a sample set of files where the issue occurs. You can upload them securely via Google Drive or Dropbox and send the link here or through DM.

Once we have reproducible files, the team will be able to investigate further and identify the cause of this issue. I'll keep you all updated as soon as there's any progress from the product side.

Looking forward to your updates.

Abhishek

[Amy3602122606jp]

Hi,

My collagues & I are having the same issue. Our illustrator files are not linking through to our indesign proofs properly even when all links are updated etc. The issue is inconsistent but definitely there. We have all recently updated to the newsest 2026 versions for Indesign & Illustrator. Have attached screenshots of the same file in Illustrator, Indesign & then exported from Indesign to PDF.

[Koos Verdegaal]

Hi, when I import an Illustrator file in Indesign, some of my last saved changes are not properly updated in the preview.

Also, when I choose Object layer options, I see the layers for every artboard in the document.

When I save my Illustrator document as an older version and directly after as the latest version, the document layer options are ok again, but the preview remains sketchy.

This is obviously a bug, can this be fixed?

Thanks!

[Ton Frederiks]

Can you try to save the Illustrator file with Preferences > File Handling > Save in Background turned off?

[Koos Verdegaal]

Thank you, that worked indeed. But like saving as an older version, this seems more like a workaround than a solution.

Why would turning this option off matter?

[Ton Frederiks]

Because it is a bug in recent versions, see:

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/50611952-acroba...

[Koos Verdegaal]

I see, that explains it, thanks.

But it doesn't account for the fact that part of my changes are discarded in the Indesign preview. I hope this problem will be addressed as well…

[Ton Frederiks]

That looks like a different problem, you may want to report that at UserVoice.

[Koos Verdegaal]

Thanks for the tip, I've just reported it

[Ton Frederiks]

Thanks, can you post the link to the report here so others with the same problem can vote for it?

[Koos Verdegaal]

https://illustrator.uservoice.com/forums/601447-illustrator-desktop-bugs/suggestions/50669843-docume...

[JonasRogne]

Yeah, having similar issues. The embedded PDF preview showing an outdated version of the file. I have a single layer...

[Anubhav M]

Hello @JonasRogne, @Koos Verdegaal,

I'm sorry to hear about your experience. Could you share a link to a sample file, screenshots of the preview, and the System Info from Illustrator's Help menu after uploading it to a file-sharing service, so we can investigate this further with the team?

Looking forward to your response.
Anubhav