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InDesign files created in 2020 will not open in latest version of InDesign (2024 V 19.1)

Forum|Forum|2 years ago
January 24, 2024
4 replies
1554 views

The error message I'm getting is "cannot open the file "XXXXX.indd". Adobe InDesign may not support the file format, a plug-in that supports the file format may be missing, or the file may be open in another application (it is not open in another application).

I can recreate the file, but that will add hours of work. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer BobLevine

There is no way that a file of 199 bytes is an InDesign file.

BobLevine

Community Expert

Was this file saved in Dropbox, OneDrive, iCloud or some other cloud service that offers "smart sync" features that allow you to see all the files but they only download on demand?

J

Joshua34995110tz1zAuthor

Participating Frequently

I had hoped so, but I just searched for the file on Dropbox and icloud with not luck. But you did point me in the right direction because I did find some of the "raw" files used to create the InDesign file.

This community is very good and responsive. Much apprecaited from a part time user like myself. Thank you.

BobLevine

Community Expert

Or, it's not an InDesign file at all. Simply looking at the file extension is not a test. The easiest thing to do, to start, is to post the file here and someone may be able to identify the issue.

Final thought is that this file is corrupt.

J

Joshua34995110tz1zAuthor

Participating Frequently

I tried to attach the file here, but the following error was displayed "Correct the highlighted errors and try again. The attachment's bb book.indd content type (application/octet-stream) does not match its file extension and has been removed."

Some additional information (from properties page):
Type: INDD FILE
Size: 199 bytes

Does that shine more light as to what might be happening here?

Thank you for your help with this issue.

J

Joshua34995110tz1zAuthor

Participating Frequently

There is no way that a file of 199 bytes is an InDesign file.

Well - signs are pointing towards this being a damaged / incomplete / incoherant file.

Some of my files created during this date range do exist and open properly. I did send this file to Adobe folks and they replied back that they will attempt to fix. Seems like a long shot.

Peter Spier

Community Expert

Another common cauyse for this error is a lock file (.idlk) that was not automatically deleted due to a file crash. Check the folder where your file is saved for a .idlk file.

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

If you had a plugin in 2019 that was used for the file - then the plugin will still be needed to access the file.

This script is Windows only
http://kasyan.ho.ua/indesign/all/blind_open_and_idml-export.html

Not sure if it will help you here.

J

Joshua34995110tz1zAuthor

Participating Frequently

Unfortunately this is on a Mac. It may be possible to email out to a Windows computer, open, fix, and then resend / save back to Mac. Do you think that may work?

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