Skip to main content
D
Daiva5FAB
Participant
January 12, 2021
Answered

How to save an InDesign file as a "read only"

  • January 12, 2021
  • 2 replies
  • 6886 views

I've seen a lot of posts about how to remove the "read-only" setting on an InDesign file, however I was wondering how to make it intentionally "read-only"? I am hoping to save some files in this format so that the original does not accidentally get saved over by someone else. This would hopefully make them have to save it as something else in order to make edits. 

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer barbara_a7746676

There is no way for InDesign to make a file read-only. However, once the file is saved, you can navigate to the file, wherever it is on your computer, right click on the file and select 'Properties'. Select the 'General' tab and check 'Read-only'. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Of course if someone else wants to edit the InDesign file they can take the checkmark off of 'Read-only', if they know how to do that.

Nothing is 100% secure, but it would be more secure if you saved the InDesign file as a PDF and add a password to the PDF to prevent editing. 

2 replies

barbara_a7746676
Community Expert
barbara_a7746676Community ExpertCorrect answer
Community Expert
January 13, 2021

There is no way for InDesign to make a file read-only. However, once the file is saved, you can navigate to the file, wherever it is on your computer, right click on the file and select 'Properties'. Select the 'General' tab and check 'Read-only'. Click "OK" to save your changes.

Of course if someone else wants to edit the InDesign file they can take the checkmark off of 'Read-only', if they know how to do that.

Nothing is 100% secure, but it would be more secure if you saved the InDesign file as a PDF and add a password to the PDF to prevent editing. 

    D
    Daiva5FABAuthor
    Participant
    January 13, 2021

    Thank you Barbara! This way to get to "read-only" works too!

    Steve Werner
    Community Expert
    Steve WernerCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    January 12, 2021

    I'm not entirely clear how you want to use this InDesign file. If you want the original to be unchanged but create a duplicate file which could be edited, you want to save as an InDesign Template file:

     

    When opened, the template file will  be editable but will be Untitled (which of course can be renamed).

      Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
      Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices