"View PDF after export" option grayed out?

[sbiscardi]

When exporting to PDF using a PDF preset, the PDF no longer launches automatically in Acrobat. I checked settings and the "View PDF after export" is grayed out. I tried making new preset but the option remains unavailable. I've updated software and current OS. I deleted InDesign preferences files and created new. Nothing works. What happened? Anyone know? Running CC V14.01 on a PC Win7. Never had the problem before. Have searched the threads and nothing helps or references any recent issue like this.

[BobLevine]

You likely lost the file association for PDFs. Reassociate them with Acrobat.

[sbiscardi]

Didn't work. Any other ideas?

TIA

[rob day]

sbiscardi  wrote

Didn't work. Any other ideas?

TIA

Do you by any chance have Create Separate PDF Files checked?

[sbiscardi]

No, create separate PDF files was not selected. Still can't get it to work. Nothing has helped...?

Thanks for trying though...

[Eugene Tyson]

Is it on all files or just the one you're working on?

[sbiscardi]

all files

[Bill Silbert]

Problems within panels (such as the "View PDF after export" option being grayed out) can often be fixed by deleting your InDesign cache files (which is not the same as deleting preferences).

To do so on a PC:

On Windows 7 and above the caches files are hidden. To find them go to the Control Panel and open Folder Options and then click the View tab. Then select “Show hidden files and folders” or “Show hidden files, folders or drive options” in Advanced Settings. Then delete (or rename) the folder at the end of this path: C:\Users\[User Name]\AppData\Local\Adobe\InDesign\Version [#]\<Language>\Cache.

[sbiscardi]

Delete just the data in the cache folder? or one of the sub-folders? all sub-folders? see below

[Bill Silbert]

Delete the whole Caches folder.

[sbiscardi]

Any other ideas? This did not work. ugh...

[Eugene Tyson]

3 steps to always try and you may have done so already.

1: Reset your doc preferences

Troubleshooting 101: Replace, or "trash" your InDesign preferences [2009 Outdated & Locked]

The thread has a deeper clean solution that may work

2: If it's document only then export the file to IDML and then open that and saves an InDesign file. Try export again.

3: All else is not working - then a clean install Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool to solve installation problems

Before doing this option - please try different PDF export settings.

I notice you have not shared a screen grab of your export options.

[sbiscardi]

Tried all these things but uninstalling and reinstalling CC. screen shot export options. A preset from printer we have been using for several years. Reinstalled in June of 2018. I will uninstall the software and reload but if anyone sees anything in this preset that is causing the issue please post. thanks in advance!

[sbiscardi]

[BobLevine]

Once again, are you sure PDFs are associated with Acrobat? What happens if you double click one from Windows Explorer? And my goodness, are you still using Windows 7? I think I read that Adobe will be dropping support in the next versions of Creative Cloud.

[sbiscardi]

Yes Win 7. Can't help that. Company waiting for them to die before moving back to Macs.

yes, PDFs associated with Acrobat. Double clicking in explorer opens them in Acrobat.

[rob day]

Did you delete the entire Cache folder as Bill suggested?

What happens if you choose the default PDF/X-1a preset with no modifications? Maybe something about your PDF .joboptions file is corrupt?

[sbiscardi]

no, I tired that too. I just reinstalled CC and it is fixed. ugh...should have just done that!!! thanks for the help!

[Eugene Tyson]

You are in the mode to edit the PDF presets - this in File>PDF Presets>Define

You can't define that setting there.

When you go to File>Export and choose Adobe PDF Print - those options should be selectable.

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

At this point, if none of the above help, I'd uninstall and resinstall.

[sbiscardi]

this worked. ty!

[GMargee]

deselect save in background when you edit you preferences.

[scotw74004221]

It's grayed out if you are editing your PDF presets, but not grayed out when that dialogue comes up when you are actually exporting a PDF. From that dialogue, you can save the modified preset as a new preset with View PDF after export enabled.