Indesign wont save filename unless on desktop

[karen_5327]

My indesign file won't save my filename below unless I save it to desktop. Also can't export PDF unless desktop.

FILE  NAME:
Importance of Comprehensive Eye Examinations for Adults and Children Postcard Reminder V1.2

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @karen_5327,  

Could you share which version of InDesign and OS you're using? Have you tried saving the file with a shorter name to see if it works in other locations besides the desktop? Also, is this happening with all files or just this one? Try creating a new file and saving it with both a short and long filename in different locations, then let me know how it goes. That should help us figure out what’s going on!  

Looking forward to your update.  

^

Abhishek

[karen_5327]

Version 19.5.1 - I can save as short file in Documents or anywhere. I can save long on Desktop only. Happens now with all files. Used to work and be ok. Just started today and reboot computer with still same problem. I did try not using periods but still didn't work. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You didn't answer the OS part of the question.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Don't use periods in file names. Substitute an underscore or just make it 'v12' so as not to create file path problems.

[karen_5327]

I did try not using periods but still didn't work. 

[Peter Spier]

Filename (along with the rest of the filepath) could simply be too long for ther file system in use on the external drive, especially if it's several directories deep.

[karen_5327]

Thanks

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Both Mac and Windows have a maximum path length of 255 characters, but your name is only 91 spaces long. So unless your path name is strangely long, that should not be the problem. (Although I would shorten just for readability's sake.)

For example, on Windows, a path name would be:

C\Users\<UserName>\Desktop\Importance of Comprehensive Eye Examinations for Adults and Children Postcard Reminder V1.2.indd. It would be similar on a Mac but using regular slashes and no "C:". 

Periods in file names have been allowed for sometime now, but I still tend to avoid them. I stick with just underscores (_) and hyphens (-). 

Depending on your OS and work environment, it might be a permissions issue.

[karen_5327]

The attached is the full path and name. I copied from Desktop and it let me but still can't save to documents directly from InDesign.

[karen_5327]

Opps not sure if that's the right file. Here you go

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Right click on the file and go to properties. There you can copy the entire path. Paste into Word or similar program to get character count. At least we know you are on Windows 11...

[Peter Spier]

A path where you CAN save is not what we need. Wha't the full path to the folder where you want to save but cannot? Or have I been misunderstanding and you really do want it in Documents on the local drive?

In any case, if this is Windows 11, there are a lot of problems reported by folks who installed a recent update. I can't seem to find the bookmark to the discussion that I thought I had saved. Anyone else?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

I DO remember that the Dec. 2024 update was a stable one.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Yes, periods and other special/reseved characters have been allowed (mostly) on most OSes and most network protocols, but they can still cause enough confusion that it's best to avoid them. Not every combination of system, OS, network protocol and remote device understands every case where "sometimes a cigar is just a cigar."

But it doesn't appear to have anything to do with this case. Next time... 🙂

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@karen_5327 

As other asked - what is the full path on the server?

What kind of server?

By default, in Windows, there is 256 character length limit - including path - but you can change it:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/The-Windows-10-def...

Or you can map your finall directory - on the server or on your local machine - to a letter.

So instead of

c:\Documents\projects\bla1\bla2\bla3\Diseases\

you can have:

p:\Diseases\

And, this has also one more BIG advantage - if everyone in your company, make the same assignment - to a local or server folder - you will no longer get messages about the need to update/relink linked images - even if you get files from someone elses local drive.

[karen_5327]

worried about messing around in windows - Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable.

How do you do. - Or you can map your finall directory - on the server or on your local machine - to a letter.?

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

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@karen_5327 wrote:

worried about messing around in windows - Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable.

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As long as you won't mess up - you'll be fine 😉 

Just double and triple check what you're typing - and where - before you accept any changes. 

How do you do. - Or you can map your finall directory - on the server or on your local machine - to a letter.?

By @karen_5327

There are many examples you can find through Google, like this one: 

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/turning-a-folder-into-a-drive-letter/13b42aa7-...