can't open the illustration. There is not enough room for the window; increase document area and try

[spacecadet1968]

Hi,

I'm in CS4 and trying to open an eps file and get the message:

Can't open the illustration. There is not enough room for the window; increase document area and try again.

The file won't even open, and I've never had this message before. Does anyone know how to fix or deal with this?

Thanks,

Michael

[rebeccatelrock]

To update on this issue, it appears that I can only open an illustrator file using the file>open, route. But I am able to open files when the document window is not maxamised in the application window.

This is such a weird bug

[Gohunter]

I just tried when the illustrator window is not maximized and it opens

files, but when the illustrator is maximized, it gives an error, maximized

window shrinks to tiny where the only top tabs appear.

[rebeccatelrock]

Its so strange, the bug keeps changing! Also doesn't work when you try and open a file by going Open>with from your finder of documents window, only works if you open it through illustrator

[Mrbo0m]

I have the same bug as rebeccatelrock.

It is really annoying.

[Guest]

same problem here with windows7, cs6 and a Dell Laptop. The issue only happens when the window is maximized, otherwise documents open fine, but obviously this isn't optimal since I always work in fullscreen view...

[Guest]

A coworker having the same issue explained that it's related to A. having multiple monitors and B) closing documents with the vs through the file menu. He's been able to avoid this issue by closing documents by not x-ing out.

[rebeccatelrock]

Ahhh I was using multiple monitors when I had this issue. I now work of a single screen and have no had the issue reoccur since.

[miguelpalomar · Accepted solution]

I've just had the same problem. The illustrator windows shrunk and and said won't open it but then if you maximize the window it will do. WEIIIIIRRDDD but works!

[joacim88]

Yep, Same here. Same "Solution"

[awl3306282]

Omg it really works! thank you for saving my life

[Aeizalt123]

This is ridiculous. I'm always abruptly stopped in the middle of my creative flow to mess around and have to drag the file using Alt+Tab to the top of the workspace. I don't know why it's so annoying, it just seems like a small detail that Adobe can take care of. I often have a train of thought going on, and I have to re-orient myself after experiencing the error.

[emazenn]

My Solution for this is to ... before opening your file , you must go to last tab in the illustrator , then open the file , all is ok

[susho1das]

Using Adobe Illustrator CS6 on Windows 8.1. Same problem. Fixed by using File->Open instead of opening normally by clicking on file.

[jvajko]

Found fix here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcpOrozyrWA

Resize the window from its small size to a larger size (don't maximize).

Try opening the file again.

Worked for me!

[Aeizalt123]

I don't get that error anymore thankfully, but I was just dragging and dropping for the time being. Nothing else worked otherwise.

[iPo0h]

Here is my solution:

1: When Tab AI is Min like the picture -> Use mouse and drag at the bottom right  -> Follow the narrow

2: Use explore

3: Open your file AI

[boyd49]

The key is to make the minimized window just a little smaller than the maximized. I was having this problem when launching a smart object from photoshop. It would always take it to the minimized window and give me an error.

[Thermoval S.A.]

Illustrator CC under Windows 10, when opening a file from file explorer by hitting enter it happens every, one, two files. very annoying especially illustrator is in maxed out window and by hitting enter on a file to open it, illustrator's window shrinks and this error pops out. since this is CC and people reported it back in CS4 seems like we can't hope for a quick fix and meanwhile, I should maybe learn to open files the way Adobe considers the right way and does not trigger the error?

[alvaroa63020996]

Guess this isn't getting fixed. 8 years now 😕

[nr48385538]

Ten years and counting...

[Real Wisdom Relavo]

guys, there is a video on youtube that guides you on how to fix this problem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcpOrozyrWA

[jade786]

I just got this error message for the first time and tried all the suggestions, including the one marked "Solved" but it didn't solve the problem. I increased the window size, I tried opening it directly from within Illustrator, I tried every YouTube trick. I still get the message "Can't open the illustration. There is not enough room for the window; increase document area and try again."

It's 2022. This shouldn't still be a problem! Any ideas? I'm on a Retina 5K iMac running macOS Monterey 12.6 with 128GB RAM and more than enough hard drive space. Thanks in advance for solutions!

[JasonSWrench]

I just started having this problem too. After all these years, I'm kind of amazed that this is a continuing problem. 

Jason

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @jade786 @JasonSWrench,

We are sorry to hear about your experience. This is not the experience we want you to have.

Would you mind sharing the download link to the Ai file, including all linked files and your system specifications?

Also, please confirm the exact version of OS & Ai.

We are here to help. We just need more info.

Thanks,

Anshul Saini

[JasonSWrench]

Hello!

The problem wasn't file specific. Any time I was within AI and tried to open a new file, I would get that pop-up window saying there wasn't room. I learned if I stretched out the new file box when it did it the first time, it would stop happening. I wish I had a video of this. If it happens again, I'll record it for a better explanation of what was happening. 

As for OS, I'm on Windows 10 and using the most recently released version of AI.

Jason