Indesign files won't open from my external drive

[SaraNBMAA]

Hello there! I had a problem when taking out my external drive to my other computer at work and the 2 Indesign files I was working on previously won't open. I keep getting the error: "cannot open the file. 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."

I made sure to close the whole application before taking out my external drive. I repaired the external just in case and still didn't work. I worked so much on these files, can anyone help?

[BobLevine]

Have you tried copying them to local hard drive? Do they open on the other computer?

BTW, I cannot recommend this workflow at all. You're far better off using Dropbox, OneDrive or another cloud storage/sync service.

[SaraNBMAA]

They do not open on both computers and I copied it to the local drive and still doesn't open. Is it corrupted? And it's just those two Indesign files.

I will start working off a cloud then though. Thank you.

[BobLevine]

Sure sounds that way but without seeing the files it's impossible to say.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@SaraNBMAA

Making sure that InDesign is closed isn't enough - I don't know what is the correct procedure on Mac - but on Windows, you have to "eject" drive from the system - either using icon near the Clock - or by selecting option from the context menu for the drive - so contents of the buffor / cache will be saved to the drive. 

You can't just unplug the connector. 

[SaraNBMAA]

I see, that's super helpful to know! I will try to wait after closing everything to properly eject so I don't get that error "files are still open".

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@SaraNBMAA

You can't just "wait" - you need to force the disconnection via the menu I've mentioned - you should get a message that it's save to disconnect or check the same menu.