tutorials Intermediate, Quick Tips Open Corrupt InDesign Files: Make Your Computer Say ‘Yes’!
There’s nothing more frustrating than trying to open an InDesign file only to have an message flagged up saying the file is ‘corrupted’ and can’t be opened.
Do not despair! Read on to findfour quick and easy solutions to deal with the problem pronto!
Solution1:Identify If You’veAdded Anything to the Document Recently
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You might need to get your detective’s hat on…It’s likely that there’s something hidingin your InDesign document that has promptedInDesign to flag up the file as damaged. This could be a something like a damaged image or a dodgy font file.
Were you able to open your filewithout a problem not thatlong ago? If so, try to think about what else has been added to the document since that point in time. Recently introduced a new font into the document? It’s probably the corrupting culprit.
If you have back-ups on your computer, or have Time Machine set up if you have a Mac OS, you should be able to open a slightly older version of your file.
Solution 2:Check Your Preferences
Your problem mightbe something to dowith corruptInDesign Preferences.
To get rid of any corruption in your preferences, relaunch InDesign and straight away hold downControl-Alt-Shift(Windows)orCommand-Control-Opt-Shift(Mac OS) and clickYeswhen prompted with the messageDelete InDesign Preference files?Usually this willallow you to open your filewithout a problem. Hooray!
Solution 3:Resave to a Different File Format
INDD(normal Adobe InDesign format) files are more susceptible to being corruptedthanIDML(InDesign CS4 and later) orINX(InDesign CS3 and earlier) file formats.
Try to open your corrupted file on a different computer (e.g. try opening the file on a PC if you normally use a Mac, and vice versa; or try opening on a different version of Windows).
If you are able to openit,go toFile > Saveand resave the file as anIDMLorINXfile. You’ll normally haveno problems with opening the file in this format.
The file will open up as a newUntitleddocument, and from here you canFile > Saveyour now uncorrupted document to your preferred folder.
Solution 4:Opena Copy of Your File
Being able to open your corrupted file is sometimes as frustratingly simple asopening up a copy.
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OpenInDesignand go toFile > Open. Navigate to your corrupted InDesign file and click to select it. From the bottom of theOpenwindow, chooseOpen Copy. InDesign will open the file as anUntitledcopy. From here, you canFile > Savethe file as an uncorrupted copy.
We hope that we’ve helped to make your computer say ‘YES!’
Track down more helpful tips for Adobe InDesign over at ourBeginner Tutorials page.
