Participating Frequently

Question

InDesign won't update illustrator file when changed in Illustrator

Forum|Forum|5 months ago
October 5, 2025
4 replies
436 views

Hi,

i have inserted an illustrator (.AI) file in my indesign document by file-place. So good so far.

Worked fine.... now i edited the illustrator file and saved it (command s) - now indesign tells me to "modified doubleclick to update" - which is normal - BUT as i want to update it it shows me "import failed" or "failed to open pdf file"

As this didn't work, I also tried just to place the edited file (.AI) over file-place again but also this doesn't work- it says " failed to open the pdf file."

Im not sure whats im doing wrong???

Thanks alot

Abhishek Rao

Community Manager

Hi @ann1603,

Thanks for the details. Could you please confirm if you're still running into the issue? Try saving the AI file again after turning off 'Save in Background' in Illustrator preferences. Then reopen InDesign and try placing or updating the file to see if it updates correctly.

If the issue persists, please share the AI file, so I can test it on my end.

Looking forward to your update.
Abhishek

BobLevine

Community Expert

If you did indeed save with PDF compatibility, try placing the file again but make sure you click on show options. There are sticky option in the PDF import filter and if the file doesn't have the appropriate options (bleed, trim, etc) that could explain the failure.

A

ann1603Author

Participating Frequently

Hi Bob, i did everything what was explained above 😞 but not working. I'm not sure! its so weird because i can place it before but after i edit it in illustrator the ai file seems to be broken 😞

im going crazy here :S:S:S

BobLevine

Community Expert

Can you post the file somewhere so we can take a look at it?

E

Eugene Tyson

Community Expert

Does the .ai file work in a new document?

If it does then it's likely your current document

Try File>Export> and choose IDML

Then open that and see if the issue continues.

A

ann1603Author

Participating Frequently

Hi Eugene,

thanks for your reply! But unfortunately after i edited it it cant be placed anymore, not even in a new document 😞

J E L

Community Expert

Hi @ann1603, when you save the .ai file, are you checking the box to Create PDF Compatible File? Try this:

Go to File > Save As (do not use Save).
Choose Adobe Illustrator (.AI) as the format and specify a location.
In the Illustrator Options dialog, check the box for “Create PDF Compatible File”.
Click OK to save.
Go to InDesign for “File > Place.”

Let us know if that works!

A

ann1603Author

Participating Frequently

Hi Jel,

i tried but unfortunately it still shows the " failed to open the pdf file" :(((

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