unable to open files in indesign created from previous version

[emmag75192746]

I am getting an error message when trying to open any files in Indesign 20 that I created in the 2019 version. I can't find any clue as to why this is happening. I can open newer files.

The error mesage is saying file does not exist, I don't have permission or in use by another application. 

None of which are true.

I'm on Windows 10 and all up to date as far as I'm aware.

[Derek Cross]

Open the 2019 docs in InDesign 2019 and Save As IDML and see if you can open them in InDesign 2020.

[emmag75192746]

I've already uninstalled the 2019 version.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Why not reinstall 2019? It's still part of the subscription. The do as Derek suggested.

[emmag75192746]

because I don't want to add to my issues by potentially not being able to see my other files that I currently can see. I don't know what Derek is saying is a proven fix, so i'd prefer to try and fix without reinstalling 19/uninstalling20 (becuase you cant do one without doing the other). If its a definite fix for my issue then fine but I was waiting to see if there were any other suggestions.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Here's what I would try in order, checking each step:

1. I would try is deleting my complete ID preferences.
2. I would try 2019 as a test. It's a 5-10 minute test. If it doesn't work, uninstall 2019. You can have multiple versions installed at once--you don't have to uninstall 2020.
3. Try uninstalling and reinstalling InDesign 2020.

[emmag75192746]

That's not what is says when I try to install 2019! sorry tried to atatched a screen grab of the message. but basically its says it will uninstall 20 and all the recent updates.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

This may be a moot poin, but...

You are probably trying to install v15, which is a slightly older version of 2020, so it would uninstall the newer version of 2020. You would need to install v14 to get 2019. The only warning you would get is that it will turn off the auto-update functions. 

The only issue with having multiple versions installed is you really can't double-click on files in the desktop/explorer window, since it could open the "wrong" version.

[emmag75192746]

Ahhhh...that makes sense. I'll try that if I get anymore issues. Thanks

[BobLevine]

Are they in a Dropbox folder by any chance?

[emmag75192746]

No, I don't use dropbox. 

[John Mensinger]

"The error mesage is saying file does not exist, I don't have permission or in use by another application."

A common cause of that message is the existence of a "lock file". It's a (supposed-to-be) temporary file that is automatically written when a file is open. Sometimes when a file isn't closed properly due to a crash or other reason, the lock file doesn't get deleted like it should. This usually doesn't affect "many" files, but it's worth trying the following:

Shut down InDesign, search the folder where your documents are stored for  *.idlk and delete all files found. Launch a fresh InDesign session and try to open one of the trouble files.

[BobLevine]

I don't think a lock file would keep it from opening as a converted file.

The reason I asked about Dropbox is because it now can store files as cloud only that still show up in Explorer, but they take too long to download sometimes and that can cause this error.

[John Mensinger]

"I don't think a lock file would keep it from opening as a converted file."

Could be a good point. In a case like this, I'd still do the search and get rid of any lock files.

[garethgeraty]

I had the same error and making the file local instead of on on the cloud fixed it for me thank you!

[emmag75192746]

No, there is no idlk file on my system at all. thanks

[emmag75192746]

I'm not my system is recognising the .indd files properly as they are showing with blank icons in the file manager. Having said that, thats the same for the 2020 versions and I can open them from InDesign 2020.

[BobLevine · Accepted solution]

What if you double click the file in Explorer or right click and choose open with?

[emmag75192746]

Thanks! doh.....yep they open! 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Does that solve the original problem of not being able to open 2019 files, both from the desktop and from InDesign?

[emmag75192746]

Sort of. I can double click the indd file from my file manager, which opens the doc in version 20 and then I can resave the file and then I am able to open it from within version 20 without getting an error message.

So a its a work around.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

The 2019 files does have to be resaved in the newer 2020 format anyway, so I would say it's working as expected. I would change the file name slightly and not overwrite the 2019 file as a precaution.

[emmag75192746]

OK thanks will do. Thanks for everyones help!