another instance of: Adobe InDesign may not support the file format, a plug-in that supports the file format may be missing, or the file may be open in another application.

[Larzaroni]

Like many others, I also have this problem not opening a customer's file. I get the error "Can't open filename. Adobe InDesign may not support the file format, a plug-in that supports the file format may be missing, or the file may be open in another application."

The customer and I both have Macs. They packaged and zipped the files, put that on a thumb drive, and drove it over here. I have updated to the latest available version of InDesign, tried to open the doc from the menu with File / Open - as a copy, tried changing filename extensions between .idml and .indd for both versions of the supplied doc, we have tried 3 different machines here to open it. The customer sent a screenshot of the package report stating there are no external plug-ins.

In searching the forum, I see this has happened since 2012, but there is no definate answer. Does anyone have any ideas? Who wants to look at my flies?

( i did that on purpose-ha ! )

[Bill Silbert]

Could you have your client resave the file as an IDML file (File>Export>InDesign Markup (IDML)) and see if that will open through your version of InDesign?

[jane-e]

Larzaroni  wrote

Who wants to look at my flies?

Hi Larzaroni,

You can sent the file to Adobe at this email address:

corrupt_indesign_docs@adobe.com

If the file is larger than 10 Mb, you can zip (and password protect) the file and upload to Creative Cloud account (or Dropbox) and email the document link.

Jane

[jane-e]

Larzaroni  wrote

They packaged and zipped the files, put that on a thumb drive, and drove it over here. I have updated to the latest available version of InDesign, tried to open the doc from the menu with File / Open - as a copy, tried changing filename extensions between .idml and .indd for both versions of the supplied doc,

Hi Larzaroni​

Another thing that occurs to me is that I have heard of thumb drives corrupting files. (Google it.) Does it still open on the original computer?

If so, try a new thumb drive or put it on the Creative Cloud (or drop box) and send a link to the other person to download.

Also, changing the filename to .idml does not make it an .idml. When the file is packaged, .idml is checked by default and you should have both versions.

Jane

[rob day]

They packaged and zipped the file

Try moving the zip archive to your internal drive and unzip the archive there. Also what is the exact file name? Check for illegal characters.

[Larzaroni]

Thank you all for helping....

I did receive both types of files, I tried changing the extensions on each one because of something I read elswhere. The indd file is 17mb and the idml file is 124bytes. The folder of links is 4gb!

I never open files on a thumb drive, I just don't trust that. IMO they are only good for transfering stuff. We also received a different second drive when we told them we couldn't open the first files, but with the same result.

The filename is just 3 words (one of them is, of course, "FINAL"), with an underscore and a hyphen.

Jane-e / thank you for looking. I just emailed the link to the docs. Are you related to WALL-E?

[rob day]

Maybe have the customer email or dropbox a zipped version of just the IDML file? If that opens you could relink to the packaged files—that would eliminate the drive as the source of the problem.

[Larzaroni]

Thanks, I just asked for a new InD file from the customer via internet transfer of some kind.

[jane-e]

Larzaroni  wrote

Jane-e / thank you for looking. I just emailed the link to the docs. Are you related to WALL-E?

Hi Larzaroni​,

Yes, a little known fact is that WALL-E's last name is also Edwards, hahaha, and he is a distant cousin.

If the files open on the original computer, then sending the link and avoiding the thumb drive should be the best solution. Let us know if that works!

Jane Edwards

[Larzaroni · Accepted solution]

I finally got a good file from my customer! As she was re-Packaging she sent an email stating her InDesign kept crashing, so I think the original files were corrupt. I told her to just zip the InD file and send it, and that worked.

What I learned: The error message covers 4 possibilities. Missing plug-in; already open by someone else; document is from a newer version than you have; or just corrupted.

Thank you all for your time,

Larzaron-E

[jane-e]

I’m glad you found a solution (and it didn’t involve another drive across town). Thanks for posting, as a lot of people search when they have a similar issue.

~ Jane

[anthonyg90771260]

Excuse me I'm having a similar issue.  I was in the middle saving me project then suddenly my billboard USB port started to acting causing InDesign to crash. Now InDesign is working fine its just my file. By the way, I have Surface go tablet with windows in case you wondering.

[Test Screen Name]

If it crashes when saving you will need to go back to an earlier backup.

[anthonyg90771260]

Well what if I don't have an early backup is there still a way to save the file

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

What versions of ID are you and your client using? I would suggest you get a screen shot from your customer for confirmation.

[Test Screen Name]

Very unlikely if it actually only half saved. It's a good plan to expect regular corruptions, for all sorts of reasons, and plan your backups accordingly on both a small scale (hourly or more frequently), medium scale (days to weeks) and long scale (years).

[anthonyg90771260]

Alright, how can I uncorrupt it to get half it back?

[BobLevine]

For future reference, you might want to give this a read. Wrote it years ago and it’s still valid: https://www.boblevine.us/why-i-always-save-files-in-dropbox-and-why-you-should-too/

Some of the screenshots may be a bit out of date.

[anthonyg90771260]

Thanks

[Test Screen Name]

That's not likely.