Why are my InDesign files are saving as 'Read-Only'?

[Colleen Egan]

When I create a file and save it for the first time, it saves as 'Read-Only'. So, once I save it, that's it! I can't save it again or even make a PDF file. I've checked the permissions of the file, the folder, etc. and they're all 'Read and Write'.  I'm paralyzed because of this, can anyone help?!?!

[Scott Citron]

macOS or Windows? What if you change the destination of the file? Does that make any difference?

[Colleen Egan]

I'm on a Mac, running OS 12.5. It doesn't seem to make a difference if I change the destination.  Thank you for trying to help me!

[Kevin Lee 40]

We're also seeing this problem, however our users are running Windows 10 in a Citrix Environment, they have access to edit the file.  It is possible for them to 'File / Open' choose the file and 'Copy' rather than 'Normal' or 'Original', this gives them a new file which they can save as, and then reopen as normal.  They can then save on this file for a while, but if we close Adobe InDesign down and then reopen, the new file opens as Read-only.  

We're also seeing lots of files that are being opened [Converted] due to 2023 release being installed.  We understand these need to be opened and saved again so both the original and the converted file exist, but we don't understand why various files are opening as [read-only]

[Rishabh_Tiwari · Accepted solution]

Hi @Colleen Egan ,

Sorry to hear about the trouble. Could you please try the steps shared below:

1. First go to System Preferences -> Security & Privacy -> Accessibility -> Unlock in lower left -> Add desired Adobe Softwares -> Make sure they are checked
2. Next, scroll in the left column to "Full Disk Access" -> Add desired Adobe Software -> Make sure they are checked
3. Lock in the lower left
4. If open, software will need to be quit and restarted for changes to take effect.

If this doesn't help, please share more details like the version of InDesign & the OS. Are you saving the file locally or on any network folder synched locally?

Regards

Rishabh 

[Colleen Egan]

When I go to 'Accessibility' and it wasn't clear to me how to add the desired software. There was also no column with 'full disk access'. I'm on a Mac, running OS 12.5. Any other suggestions?  Thank you for trying to help me! 

[Colleen Egan]

Okay....disregard my last response, I was in the wrong window (It's been a long day!). I did everything you advised and it seemed to work so far, fingers crossed! Not sure how this problem started in the first place, any idea?
Thank you for your help!! Much appreciated!

[Diana Kaye5EF3]

Thank you so much, Rishabh!!! That did the trick for me, with a few things that were just listed a little differently than on my Mac, but at least you got me where I needed to be to figure it out, and it worked!!!

I greatly appreciate your time to answer with full details so even I could do it and be able to complete my project!

Diana

[Santi-W&S]

I am having same issues with InDesign files but only when using server file shares. Permissions are set to read and write in server locations, this seems to be an issue only with InDesign only. Other file types e,g, adobe acrobat, word, etc.etc.  no issue. Adobe InDesgin message is "Cannot save the document. It may be opened by other applications. Close applications and try again. You may also Save As to save a new document."  again, saving the files locally on the MAC no issues.  Obviosly the settings mentioned above were checked but still an issue.

[leo.r]

I am having same issues with InDesign files

By @Santi-W&S

Your versions of InDesign and macOS?

[Santi-W&S]

These systems, now 3 are running Sonoma 14.4.1 and 14.5.0 and InDesign 2024, 1 user is 19.4 and the other 2 are 19.5

When the same users using a windows PC there is no issues.

[Abhishek Rao]

Hello @santi-W, 

I hope you are doing well. 

We would like to follow up on the status of the issue. Are you able to resolve the issue or still experiencing it? If your issue is resolved now, please feel free to share the solution which worked for you which might helps others on the community experiencing the similar issue. 

Please feel free to update the discussion if you need any further assistance. 

Thanks, 

Abhishek Rao