Indesign locking text frames with old ID files

[RobFarmer]

I cannot see any previous questions on this. 

I'm increasigly opening older CC ID files. And increasingly seeing the same problem. When it's opening them it's locking nearly all if not all of the text frames on the page.  This has been happening to be for the past few revisions of ID. But it seems to be getting worse. 

Obvious answers out the way.

• Thay are not on locked frames or locked object or master page items. 

The only way I can edit the text frames is to highlight the copy and copy and paste it into a whole new text frame on page. Then I can edit the copy. 

This isn't a one off. It's happening quite often now on older files. I would say 3 out of 10 old files opened. 

Any ideas or is this a bug. 

thx!

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @RobFarmer,

Would you mind sharing the details of your OS? It looks like selecting all objects (Cmd + A / Ctrl + A) and unlocking them might not be working for you. If that’s the case, could you try saving the affected file as IDML, reopening it in InDesign, and checking if the issue persists?

Additionally, could you share the original sample file so we can check it our end:

 - Which InDesign version the file was originally created in

 - Which version you’re opening it in

 - Where the file is stored (local drive, external drive, network, or cloud)

This will help narrow down the cause. Let me know how it goes.

^
Abhishek

[RobFarmer]

To add more information. 

I'm opening old ID files. This on is a created circ 2017.  So opening the file in ID 2024. But this has  been happing for a few revisions of ID so not specifically to the 2024 edition.

And then copying the DPS content into a brand new page. And text frames are still locked for editing. 

It's a mix of storage. Cloud on Gdrive and local. Still the same. 

The only fix I have worked out is to copy the copy from the text frames into freshly created text frames.  Which makes you think some lock attribute is on. It isn't and wasn't on the original source material.

It's a puzzling one. And feels like a bug to me. I'm curious if other people have been experiencing this opening older ID files. 

[RobFarmer]

Sorry I mean I'm copying the content into a brand new document. Not just adding a new page to the old docutment openend. 

[RobFarmer]

I can supply files if you wish. This one is experiencing the issue. Fonts are all locked out to change. Text frames are all locked with content within it. 

You cannot even edit the copy in story editor!

[Peter Spier]

I've downloaded and opened the sample file in version 20.0.1 on windows 10. It locks up the applicartion for a few moments, before showing the missing fonts dialog, but once that finally opens and is dismissed I am able to edit everything.

[Joel Cherney]

That's interesting, because when I open the file up in 20.0.1 on Win10 and click past the missing fonts dialog, I can move frames, and put the insertion point into a frame, but I can't make any text edits at all throughout the file. As RobFarmer reports, I can't even type in the Story Editor window. I can't edit text at all until after IDML export & reopen.

Rob, perhaps your install of InDesign is itself damaged? When an IDML export fixes the document for me but not for you, I suspect that your preferences may be damaged in some way. 

[Peter Spier]

Ah, you're right. I got lazy and presumed that because I could select the text I could edit it, but I can't make any changes after all.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

I've downloaded and opened the sample file in version 20.0.1 on windows 10. It locks up the applicartion for a few moments, before showing the missing fonts dialog, but once that finally opens and is dismissed I am able to edit everything.

By @Peter Spier

I'm not - can't edit anything and Font Family field is locked:

[Mike Witherell]

Are a lot of these older documents a copy of other similar documents?

Have you explored exporting the document to IDML; then re-opening the IDML to SAVE AS to a new INDD document; in order to see if the problem persists?

If it is happening to all documents, have you experimented with a reset of InDesign preferences?

[RobFarmer]

IDML was my first idea. As it cleans the document. But doesn't fix this issue sadly. 

[RobFarmer]

equally it's not only effecting me. Multiple users opening the document. On both OSX and WIN versions of ID. I get editors asking me why am I unable to edit text frames. 

Very puzzling. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@RobFarmer

Can you share a sample document(s)? 

Please click my nickname if you prefer to send it to me privately. 

[Mike Witherell]

Yes, very puzzling. I have not heard of a problem quite like the one you are describing.

[RobFarmer]

funny enough I cannot change fonts on the document. They are not even installed. It's all locked out.

Basically the same as this problem. I think it's linked to not being able to alter text frames. 

https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/can-t-replace-missing-fonts-in-indesign-cc-2019/...

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@RobFarmer 

Maybe because of this:

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Then there is this - when trying to replace fonts:

And you don't have LOCKED Stories:

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

And you don't have Text Variables in yur document:

Last one is added by me for test purposes,  because, in the blank document:

When in your document:

And:

So your document is majorly corrupted...

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@RobFarmer 

OK, progress 😄 SUCCESS 😄

After IDMLing in CC 2025 - v. 20.0 - looks like your file is "fixed":

Attached.

I even no longer get messages about fonts - when trying to replace them in File / Package / Fonts.

Beside the Type1 warning.

And as IDMLing works for me - I can't even compare IDML files to get to the bottom of the problem - could you please send me your "bad" IDML file?

[Peter Spier]

IDML seems to have worked for me as well.