Why do I get SharedContent plugin error?

[Jack]

My indd document was created in iD CS5.5. On opening in iD CS5, there is a popup which says that SharedContent plugin was used in the creation of the file. The popup then provides the option to proceed anyway. Will I be safe doing that, or is there a workflow for installing the plugin in CS5?

[Elaine_Ahn]

Hi Peter,

I'm not sure if you're still available to help with this, but I recently received an InDesign file that won't open. I'm not sure what version it was saved/created with, but I need to be able to open it in CS4. If this is possible, please let me know if I can PM you the file to convert for me! or if there is anyone else who is able to help me with this.

Thanks so much for your time.

Elaine

[Peter Spier]

Sent you an upload link.

[perfectlywell]

Hello... I am encountering this problem with an ID file created by someone who has passed on so no chance of getting an export from the ID it was created in. I am using ID 5.0 v7.0.4 and do not have a previous version. So I guess I need the file exported from 5.5 in .idml format? Then I will be able to open in my 5.0? Mr. Spier, could you also help me with this? Would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!

~ Anais

[perfectlywell]

Here is a dropbox download link for you: https://www.dropbox.com/s/6l295dz5zh3d9er/ThankYouINDIA.indd - again, thanks if you can help with this. ~ Anais

[Peter Spier]

Working on it now....

[doobert]

Have a very unusual issue that a client has experienced. She created a number of InDesign files in CS4 v 6.06 and is still using that version. Some of the files (not all of them) are now generating the "missing sharedcontent.rpln" error message, and are exhibiting the behaviour that others have previously mentioned as having been associated with trying to open a file in CS4 after it has been saved in a newer version. However, this is not the case here. She has only edited them on this single system, which has NOT been upgraded to anything newer. I have tried updating the software and plugins, but there are no newer versions available for her.

Have any of you ever run into this problem before? Again, this was NOT caused by trying to open a file created in a newer version.

Thanks in advance!

[Peter Spier]

Invariably it turns out that someone is misremebering the file history and they tried out a newer version, or shared the file at some point. You can learn the version of the file by using the script at Adobe Forums: [Ann] Identify Your InDesign File

[doobert]

Peter:

Hoping that is indeed the case, although she is quite adamant that she created all of the files in question in the same version of InDesign on the same workstation that she is currently using. I will see if I can get an opportunity to run the script you suggested and hope for the worst.

Thanks!

[BobLevine]

As Peter says, I cannot count the number of times someone has sworn there is

no way a file was saved in a later version but it was.

[doobert]

wow....

"Script Alert

          You can open "filename.indd" with this version; it has been saved as Adobe InDesign (CS4).

          (A Jongware Script 27-Jun-2013)"

Anybody want mustard for their hats? I sent copies of two of the files that the client was struggling with to my home office and ran the script on them there. Both came up with this message. BTW I have the same version of InDesign as the client does (CS4 v6.06), so I would have expected the sharedcontent error message to manifest itself on my system as well if the files were saved in a newer version. The only issue I had trying to open them is that I don't have all the fonts she used in them so I've used substitutes; otherwise they are fine.

This brings me back to my original question: what else would produce the sharedcontent error message? Again, this isn't happening with all of her files; just a handful that she says she created and has previously edited on the same system.

Thanks again for your input and efforts.

[Peter Spier]

Is she really using CS4 (or is she able to open them and this message is popping up at the home office)? I don't think we've EVER seen this warning when the file is being opened in the same version or later, and that fact that you can open them in CS4 on your system makes me think whomever is seeing the message should check their version again.

I'm not quite ready to eat my hat.

[BobLevine]

Nor am I. I won't bet the mortgage but I'll be shocked to find out the

problem is something else besides this or a corrupt file.

[doobert]

Gents:

I can solemnly vouch that the version of InDesign running on her system is CS4 v6.06. That was one of the first things I checked, along with whether there were any updates available (as stated in my original post, #201).

To clarify:

1. user creates and edits files on her workstation using CS4 v6.06.
2. some files produce the sharedcontent error; user is unable to open them
3. user is still able to open her other files created and edited on the same system
4. user contacts DoobertCo for remote support
5. Doobert replicates user's results by remotely connecting to user's system, confirming software version, and attempting to open files.
6. Doobert tries normal diagnostic steps, culminating in contacting Bob & Peter on InDesign forum
7. Doobert confirms that his home office system is configured with the same version of InDesign as the user's: CS4 v6.06
8. Doobert makes copies of misbehaving files and checks them on his home office system with the script file recommended by Peter
9. Doobert posts results from script file analysis on InDesign forum; showing both files able to be read
10. Doobert purchases ketchup for Peter for his hat...

Update: user took my other suggestion and downloaded the trial version of CS6; was able to open the two dodgy files and save them down to CS4 for herself. She just contacted me and told me that she has been able to work on them with her copy of CS4 and is now a happy camper again.

[Peter Spier]

Did you try having the client do normal troubleshooting, such as a new user account, trashing prefs, or exporting the file as .inx to see if the error persisted? There has to be an explanation associated with the client system.

[doobert]

Peter:

I did trash the prefs on her system, and it didn't make any difference. Both of the files I tested still came back with the same error message. I will admit that I didn't try creating a new account for her, bult felt that since this was only happening with some files (and not all of them) that it wasn't as necessary. I tried moving out the 3rd party plugins as well; same results.

Since the client was able to save down from a trial version of CS6, the issue is mooted, but what we're doing is still relevant post-mortem. Yes, I agree that there is something loopy with her system, but again, it has only affected a small number of her files. I would like to see her upgrade eventually, but everybody needs money first.

Cheers,

Doobert

[Peter Spier]

If you want me to dine on my headgear I'm going to need proof positive that this is the very first case reported here of that error happening with a system that is in proper working order with a file saved from the same version.

[mpc999]

"downloaded the trial version of CS6; was able to open the two dodgy files and save them down to CS4 for herself"

Hmmm....interesting. I thought you're not supposed to be able to do that without going through CS5.

[BobLevine]

IDML is compatible with all versions of InDesign LATER than CS3.

After opening one of these INDD files in CS6 cmd+click About InDesign

(windows is ctrl+click About InDesign) and you'll see a full history of

the file including the versions they were saved in.

[jtague8811]

Hi Bob,

I have a client that takes a while to respond back to me and I need to have this project finished. Is there any way you could save this as an IDML file for me. It would be greatly appreciated. https://www.dropbox.com/s/neegbqwwxik88bs/TBSE_TBL_BrandGuidelines_2013-2014_FINAL_outlined.indd

[jtague8811]

Actually a .pdf would work as well i dont need to edit it.

[Peter Spier]

The file appears to be damaged....

[jtague8811]

So you can't open it either?

[Peter Spier]

No, I get an error code 5. Can you try again, but zip it?

[bumblepop]

Can someone please help me open convert this 5.5 file to use on my CS5.

Taxes changed so the whole menu needs little edits before they opening the morning & I didn't realize it would be this complicated.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/4x5hw60b5cdpqg3/lgh%20menu55.indd

Thanks in advance!!

Amy

[Peter Spier]

I'm getting an invalid link error....