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M
Mike Eburne
New Participant
October 25, 2021
Question

Importing PDF: File could not be opened...

  • October 25, 2021
  • 5 replies
  • 1058 views

I am attempting to import the contents of a number of PDF files into InDesign but I am being blocked with the following:

 

"The file could not be opened. You may not have permission or the file may be in use by another application."

 

I have removed all protection from the files.

 

The files reside in a Google Drive to which I have full rights (Editor).

 

If I move the files to my desktop they import. The problem is that I need to keep these 'source' files in my Google Drive and not on my Desktop where they can be deleted. As soon as I move them back to my Google Drive I loose the link in InDesign and cannot relink them - same permission issue.

 

Can anyone help?

This topic has been closed for replies.

5 replies

L
Laubender
Adobe Expert
October 26, 2021

And: what's your version of InDesign?
What operating system and machine?

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

L
Laubender
Adobe Expert
October 26, 2021

Hi Mike,

what happens if you place the PDF files without the script?

 

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

BobLevine
BobLevine
Adobe Expert
October 25, 2021

Show options when importing and make the appropriate choices. These are sticky and if you attempt to place a file that the options don't apply to you could get that error.

    rob day
    rob day
    Adobe Expert
    October 25, 2021

    Hi Bob, the files are being placed via a script and are on Google Drive. Could this be a smart syncing problem? I don’t use Google Drive.

      BobLevine
      BobLevine
      Adobe Expert
      October 25, 2021

      Ah...sorry, missed the script. And yes, this could absolutely be a smart sync issue. That has to be turned off or InDesign could easily time out while the file is downloaded on demand.

        rob day
        rob day
        Adobe Expert
        October 25, 2021

        Are you trying to Open or Place the PDFs? PDFs can be placed, not opened.

        M
        Mike EburneAuthor
        New Participant
        October 25, 2021

        It happens during the Import Procedure when using either of the multi page import scrips.

        Gusgsm
        Gusgsm
        Inspiring
        October 25, 2021

        In some network/storage environments that message could be triggered by different reasons. Some as absurd as the file name having non ASCII characters. If that's the case, just change the name.

         

        Besides, those files might be password protected or damaged.

         

        Best regards

          Derek Cross
          Derek Cross
          Adobe Expert
          October 25, 2021

          You might find this plugin (at extra cost) helpful:

          https://www.recosoft.com/products/pdf2id/?gclid=CjwKCAjwq9mLBhB2EiwAuYdMtadEG72gOTvhMQGvrR17QXuNd4NobaKELReCSBfZbRtRh4ugaQl6yhoCfS0QAvD_BwE

           

            M
            Mike EburneAuthor
            New Participant
            October 25, 2021

            I suppose I should have clarified a bit more. This issue does not happen to ALL PDF files I try and import. Only some and I have not been able to determine why this is so.

            Dave Creamer of IDEAS
            Dave Creamer of IDEAS
            Adobe Expert
            October 25, 2021

            This is probably a dumb suggestion but...

            Are you sure the PDF is not open in Acrobat or the Google PDF viewer?

            David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
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