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Answered

Packaged Folder Name Too Long InDesign

Forum|Forum|6 years ago
September 24, 2019
3 replies
9207 views

i keep running across the error "folder name too long" when packaging an indesign file. i've already ruled out that it's not a windows, sharepoint or onedrive problem (where we strore our files/folders).

does anyone have soluation how to override this when packaging from indesign?

(so stupid in this day and age, when people are finding better ways to organize their files structures, to have a limit on file name length....ugh.)

thanks! 🙂

This topic has been closed for replies.

Correct answer Laubender

Hi,

if the error is "folder name too long" it's not the length of a particular folder's name, but the length of the whole path plus the length of file name stored within. So yes, if you have a deep structured file/folder system it could happen that InDesign is not able to package to such a deep nested folder.

Workaround: Package to your Desktop folder.

Then try to move the package to your target folder.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

I

Irishspacemonk

Inspiring

Another example of poor programming on InDesign's part. So frustrating.

ionaw91064378Author

Participating Frequently

a little "work-around" is: i can save the long-named file to my desktop then move it into the correct folder, and that's worked so far....fingers crossed!!

L

Laubender

Correct answer

Community Expert

Hi,

if the error is "folder name too long" it's not the length of a particular folder's name, but the length of the whole path plus the length of file name stored within. So yes, if you have a deep structured file/folder system it could happen that InDesign is not able to package to such a deep nested folder.

Workaround: Package to your Desktop folder.

Then try to move the package to your target folder.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

ionaw91064378Author

Participating Frequently

yes, the whole string is too long and that's what i have to do...save to the desktop, but its really bothersome.....if i get interrupted by anything, it takes me a while to remember what stage of saving, moving, etc. i was at. 😕😕 same thing happens with packaging or exporting the file to a PDF....have to save to the desktop and move over into the folder. ugh.

i wonder why windows can't lift the charater length limit?

B

Brad Grigor

Participating Frequently

This limit *has* been lifted in Windows -- probably back in 2015 or earlier. There is a system setting called "Long Paths Enabled" which defaults to 0 (disabled) for backward compatibility. When set to 1 (enabled), the limit is removed. However, applications must be also updated to support the long paths. Unfortunately, InDesign and the Bridge "Place" command did not get the memo!

Barb Binder

Community Expert

How long is your package name? I just tested this on my Mac and InDesign limits the folder name to 276 characters. Do you really need a longer name? If you do, you can log a feature request (https://indesign.uservoice.com/), but maybe you can get by with a shorter, more descriptive name. Or rename the folder after you create it.

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

ionaw91064378Author

Participating Frequently

i should have stated....long file names aren't a problem on macs, just pc's. yes, we have a very structured, deep folder system and naming conventions that we are supposed to stick to. thanks for the link..... 🙂

damianb_

Known Participant

It's another Adobe bug: I had one instance where ONE character - not one word, but character - gave the error.

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