Participating Frequently

Question

This file is already open by another user- I am the only user

Forum|Forum|5 years ago
February 22, 2020
6 replies
26166 views

I am unable to open a file from the initial InDesign screen of recent documents. The message is "This file is already open by another user.." I am the only user as it is my personal iMac using Catalina. I am using the current version of InDesign 15.0.1. Also I keep having to relink many of my images although they have not been moved. This has been going on for some time. Can someone please help identify the problem?

Bug

HARSHIKA_VERMA

Community Manager

Hi All,

We see a lot of visits to this post in April 2024. I am assuming this issue came up after the recent release of 19.4. If so, please upvote this uservoice page: https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180/suggestions/48363590.

Please follow the latest community post for updates: https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/alert-is-shown-on-opening-documents-in-indesign-19-4-this-file-is-already-open-by-another/td-p/14623617?linkId=100000266658616

We would like to inform you that this is a known bug, and the team is investigating it. For now, please try the workaround below to unblock yourself and let us know if that helps.

Workaround: Use ID 19.3 or Open the file in the previous version, resave it, and then open it in ID 19.4.

Please stay tuned to the uservoice page for updates on this bug.

Thanks,

Harshika

B

Bola157F

Participant

Hi,
I read here- https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180/suggestions/48363590

that the fix of the issue is now available in the latest InDesign 2024(v19.5.0.084)

My problem with this same issue seemed to appear after I upgraded to vrs. 19.5 (2024).
I downgraded to 19.3, and I still got the same "No permission/document already open message", so I reinstalled the 2024 version and still no luck.
What has worked so far?
I tried opening an idml file, and it opened fine, so
- I made a copy of the problem file,
- and changed the INDD extension to IDML.
- I then tried to open the IDML file, and it worked.
- I "saved as" with a different name, quit Indesign, and reopened the new file.
So far, it appears to be working fine.

Anothet thing I've tried is to make a duplicate of the problem file, and simply open the copy.

Hope someone finds this useful.
Regards.

S

susanr13780671

Participant

I am having this problem. I deleted the cache from the library and the in/Design preferences. I am using DropBox. Is there somehting else to do?

S

soudeh298986767og7

Participant

I also have the same problem and I cannot open my file. this is really important for me

Peter Spier

Community Expert

Did you look foer and delete any .idlk files in the same folder as the .indd file?

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

"I have no Library folder under Home." Yes, you do. Everyone with a Mac does, but it's hidden by default.

"I do have a Library folder under Macintosh HD" That's a different one.

In Finder use Go > Go to Folder. Type (or copy/paste)

~/Library/Application Support

Type it exactly like that, starting with a tilde (~) and including one space.

AnneMarie Concepcion

Community Expert

I'm assuming you've also rebuilt your InDesign preferences and deleted the cache?

If it's been going on for a while, it sounds like it could possibly be an OS permissions error. Follow the steps here to reset permissions on your Home folder: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT203538

AM

PS: To rebuild prefs, quite InDesign, then hold down all 4 modifier keys (Command, Control, Shift, Option) while you start the program again. Keep the keys held down until you see "Delete Preferences?" and then click Yes (or Delete)

To rebuild the InDesign cache, quit out of InDesign and find the Home > Library > Caches > Adobe InDesign folder, and delete that folder. (You will need to hold down the Option key when opening the Go menu in the Finder to see the Library choice appear, they hide it by default.)

L

lesliet33133611Author

Participating Frequently

Thanks for your reply. Here is what I was able to do:

OS permissions — reset them following the guide.

Rebuild prefs—done.

Rebuild cache— Unable to do. I have no Library folder under Home. I do have a Library folder under Macintosh HD but the Caches folder does not have an InDesign folder.

Ideas?

GG

AnneMarie Concepcion

Community Expert

To see your Home > Library folder, which is hidden by default:

Go to the Finder
Hold down the Option key
Open the Go menu while you're holding down the Option key
The Library folder will appear in that list. Choose it.

For ease of use in the future, add the Library folder to your Finder sidebar.

The Caches folder, containing one for Adobe InDesign, is in there.

T

Test Screen Name

Legend

The problems may be connected.

1. Does your Mac sometimes crash (stop working, needs switching off and on) while using InDesign?

2. Does InDesign sometimes crash (go away with a message, loses open documents)?

3. Do you save to your own iMac's disc, an external disk, a local network share or a cloud service?

L

lesliet33133611Author

Participating Frequently

No, no, and I save to my own hard drive plus an external hard drive.

BobLevine

Community Expert

Are you saving to a Dropbox or Onedrive folder?

Frans v.d. Geest

Community Expert

Check for any Lock files, ilck files that are 0 kb. Trash those. Try to use File/Open to navigate to the file and open it that way. Resave the file, try using a Save as.

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