Skip to main content
aaikele
aaikele
Inspiring
May 20, 2022
Answered

Place file from Dropbox into Indesign not working

  • May 20, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 5356 views

I’m using Indesign 2022 17.2.1 on Mac OS Monterey 12.3.1. In the past I was able to place (command D) a Word document and/or image from Dropbox into Indesign. Now when I place (command D) a document or image from Dropbox a "import failed" error pops up. I reinstalled the Dropbox app, still doesn't work. I opened the file in Dropbox so it will download on my Mac then tried placing the file in Indesign, that worked. The problem is I work with alot of files from Dropbox and need the "place"(command D) to work.

Thank you 

Correct answer the drop

Who told you that? There is nothing for Dropbox to fix. Smart sync is a terrific feature for most people but InDesign expects the file to be available and if it's not it will time out. You'll have the same problem with OneDrive or Google Drive.


Dropbox says it here:
https://help.dropbox.com/installs-integrations/desktop/macos-12-monterey-support

2 replies

Francois5FD7
Francois5FD7
Participant
March 2, 2023

Hi all. Where are we at with that one please? We can't have all files offline due to the local drive size. And you all know that InDesign got several links to multiple pictures, it'd be painful to make them available before being able to open the project. Is there a way to ask Dropbox to download automatically the needed linked files? And, when importing a picture to an InDesign project, the same way, dropbox will download it, instead of ending with an error message.
Do you have that issue too, please?

BobLevine
Community Expert
BobLevineCommunity Expert
Community Expert
March 2, 2023

BTW, if your issue is the actual issue that Dropbox has acknowledged specifically to Big Sur, AFAIK, that's been fully rolled out.

Francois5FD7
Francois5FD7
Participant
March 2, 2023

Sadly not, and when touching base with Dropbox, they're also suggesting to make the files available offline. They seems to still be working on a new version tho.

Brad @ Roaring Mouse
Community Expert
Brad @ Roaring MouseCommunity Expert
Community Expert
May 20, 2022

You might want to check your Dropbox Sync settings. If your files are set to online only, they might be only symbolic links and not actual files you are trying to place, and although "placing" one of these should activate its download to your local DropBox folder, it may not be as instant as InDesign expects. based on your Internet speed.

As far as this workflow, I don't recommend it, especially if many people have access to the same files and can change/delete them at will. It's safer to copy files over to your document's Links folder.

    aaikele
    aaikeleAuthor
    Inspiring
    May 20, 2022

    Thank you for the information. I found out this is a known issue with Dropbox. Dropbox is working on an update. 

    BobLevine
    Community Expert
    BobLevineCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    May 20, 2022

    Who told you that? There is nothing for Dropbox to fix. Smart sync is a terrific feature for most people but InDesign expects the file to be available and if it's not it will time out. You'll have the same problem with OneDrive or Google Drive.

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices