Lost/Deleted InDesign Files After Reinstalling – Can't Open .indd Files

[defaultoszvug1tyrfm]

Yesterday, Indesign didn't open. I would click and it would start, then promptly stop. I decided to uninstall Indesign since my files were saved to the cloud. I reinstalled it and it would open when it was finished installing, but i couldn't then quit the program and restart it again - it kept closing itself. I updated my Mac, and now all my files are gone. Files for school and work that I need kept because trying to remember it all is a nightmare. Does anyone have any idea what to do? I can see certain recent files on my creative cloud, but I can't open them. I recieve the message, "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". It's just a regular .indd files that I have saved on my macbook. I don't know how to go about getting my work back and i'm rather stressed about it. 

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[kglad]

in the future, to find the best place to post your message, use the list here, https://community.adobe.com/

p.s. i don't think the adobe website, and forums in particular, are easy to navigate, so don't spend a lot of time searching that forum list. do your best and we'll move the post (like this one has already been moved) if it helps you get responses.

<"moved from using the community">

[Peter Spier]

I am not a Mac user so not well versed in iCloud, but the .icoud format is not the .indd file directly which is why it won't open. I beleieve it is some sort of sync file. Can you get that file to download to your Mac, and if so does it convert back to the .indd?

[leo.r]

First, what versions of InDesign and macOS are you using?

Second, this is an invisible file (as its name starts with a dot) with the .icloud extension:

I don't know the exact inner workings of iCloud so I'm not sure when this extension is assigned and what it signifies. 

I can see certain recent files on my creative cloud but I can't open them

Did you mean "iCloud"? And are you looking for your files in the right place? Do you usually open them from iCloud Drive?

[leo.r]

P.S. If you don't see your expected files in iCloud Drive, you can reveal hidden files in the Finder by pressing Cmd-Shift-.(period). I remember hearing from other users that some files can unexpectedly become invisible on iCloud Drive due to a bug or other problems.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hi @defaultoszvug1tyrfm,

I’m sorry to hear about the trouble you’re experiencing with InDesign and your lost files. That sounds incredibly stressful, especially with important school and work documents at stake.

In addition to what our experts have suggested, could you please provide the version of InDesign you’re using and details about your operating system? This will help us troubleshoot the issue more effectively.

In the meantime, here are a few steps you can try:

1. If you have the Creative Cloud app installed, check the "Files" section to see if your documents are stored there. Sometimes, they might be saved in a different folder.

2. InDesign keeps a cache of recent files. You can try checking the Recovery folder located in:

Windows: C:\Users\[Your Username]\AppData\Local\Adobe\InDesign\Version [Your Version]\en_US\InDesign Recovery

Mac: /Users/[Your Username]/Library/Caches/Adobe InDesign/Version [Your Version]/en_US/InDesign Recovery Look for any .indd files there that might represent your lost work.

3.  Make sure the files you’re trying to open are indeed .indd files. Sometimes, files might have been saved in a different format.

4. Try opening the files directly from the Finder (Mac) or Explorer (Windows) rather than from within InDesign.

Let us know how it goes. 

Thanks, 
Abhishek Rao

[defaultoszvug1tyrfm · Accepted solution]

Thank you! 
I was able to find the files I needed after I updated my Mac. I'm still unsure as to why Indesign kept closing, but after the update I found what I needed in My Files on Creative Cloud. Thanks for your help! If it happens again I'll troubleshoot in the way you specified. 

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@defaultoszvug1tyrfm

That's great. 

But in the future - do not be so reliable on any automatic cloud syncing services. 

ALWAYS keep at least one daily backup on an external drive or at least another local drive / folder - just in case...