InDesign 2024 crashing when trying to add an index reference entry

[AdeleY]

I have been updating a book and it's time to add index items for new material. I can create new topics but when trying to add a reference to any topic, whether new or old, InDesign crashes.

[Peter Kahrel]

Try deleting InDesign's preferences: exit InDesign, then restart it holding down Alt+Shift+Ctrl (or its Mac equivalent). If that doesn't help, delete InDesign's cashes: exit InDesign, go to

C:\Users\[User]\AppData\Local\Adobe\InDesign\Version 19.0\en_GB\Caches

(that's for ID2024 on Windows) and delete all the files there. If that makes you nervous, zip'em all up before deleting them. Then restart InDesign.

Let's see whether either of the above fixes the problem.

[AdeleY]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have tried the first suggestion once, but with it still crashing. I restarted my Mac this morning, tried the preferences deleting again, still crashes.

In looking for the comparable MacOS file to the Windows file, I found this  here (https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/kb/indesign-preferences-support-file-locations.html😞

Local Cached Data Folder (Windows10):

• %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Local\Adobe\InDesign\

APPLICATION "LOCAL CACHED DATA FOLDER" (MacOS)

• /Users/[User Name]/Library/Caches/Adobe InDesign/Version [#]

I have searched for the InDesign caches without luck. 

Other suggestions welcome!

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@AdeleY

Looks like your document got corrupted - try IDMLing - export as IDML, open this IDML file and save with A NEW NAME - do not overwrite your original INDD file.

[AdeleY]

Tried exporting as IDML and InDesign crashes.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Tried exporting as IDML and InDesign crashes.

By @AdeleY

Do you have access to a 2nd machine? 

Or can you share your document? Can be on priv of course.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@AdeleY

You could try few more things:

1) Copy your text to a new document - try adding references. 

2) split your text in half - check which half crashes - keep dividing bad half.