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rickself
Participating Frequently
September 25, 2025
Question

Open file from within Indesign shows all pdf, not indd

  • September 25, 2025
  • 1 reply
  • 466 views

When I want to open a file from within InDesign, I see all the PDF's but I have to search for the actual InDesign file. How do I change the options? I don't want to open a PDF from withn Indy. If I want to open a PDF, I'll use Acrobat or Illustrator. Very annoying and time consuming.

InDesign version 20.5

Mac Sequoia 15.6.1

1 reply

Abhishek Rao
Community Manager
Abhishek RaoCommunity Manager
Community Manager
September 25, 2025

Hi @rickself,

 

I get how that can be frustrating. When you go to File > Open, InDesign by default shows all file types it can handle, including PDFs. To narrow it down to just .indd files, you can use the Enable or Format dropdown at the bottom of the Open dialog and select InDesign Documents. Once you set that, InDesign should remember your choice for the next time. Please give that a try and let me know if it works as expected for you. Moreover, please confirm the detials of the OS as well. 

 

Best, 

Abhishek

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    September 25, 2025

    I don't have a Mac to check but yes, you can choose file types in Windows.

      BobLevine
      Community Expert
      BobLevineCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      September 25, 2025
      quote

      I don't have a Mac to check but yes, you can choose file types in Windows.


      By @BobLevine

       

      Interesting... Nope no such thing on Mac. Would be nice.


      Here's how it works:

       

       

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