Adobe InDesign: Bugs
When filing a new bug, please provide:
- Version of Adobe InDesign, InCopy or InDesign Server
- Steps to reproduce the issues
- Expected result
- Actual result
- Test file, screenshot, video or GIF capturing the issue (optional)
- or
No existing idea results
- ~ No ideas found ~
7494 results found
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3 votes
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Hyperlinks
I use a lot of hyperlinks in a document which link to the individual products on our website for online ordering and stock levels.
The Hyperlink panel frequently corrupts - I lose the ‘traffic light’ link status indicator and location of the link (page No.) - meaning I have to remove InDesign and execute a clean install to get the feature back.
3 votes -
Adobe inDesign is shutting down
Adobe in Design is shutting dow. A serious error was detected. Please restart InDesign to recover work in any unsaved InDesign documents. This happened when importing an image cmd D.
3 votes -
Pages panel not scrolling to allow all pages to be accessible
InDesign v21.3 (Updated last week, no issues until today. Daily use)
This morning when I opened InDesign, I discovered I was unable to scroll and select the last page of the document. The top half of the last page is visible through the bottom bar of the panel where the number of pages is displayed but unclickable. This prevents a change of parent page style, addition of pages in the correct parent style or the selection to override the parent page style.
I have tried resetting my workspace, restarting Indesign and changing panel views. The bottom row remains elusive.
2 votes -
Wheel of death when placing images
Lately, the spinning wheel has been appearing, especially when I place a photo via drag-and-drop, but also when I use the "Place" command from the menu. When the spinning wheel appears (and stays there), I can close or save the document, but the undo/redo functions no longer work, other functions work limited. After closing all documents, I have to force-quit the application; otherwise, InDesign won’t close. When I reopen it, sometimes it loads previously closed documents with recovery, even though I closed them myself. The "CPU Preview / Preflight Off" mode doesn’t work. I work with local documents (I don’t use CC Libraries, etc.).
Windows 11 - InDesign 21.3.x64; this issue has been present since v21.0
GeForce 4070TI GPU (up-to-date Studio Drivers), Intel motherboard platform.Lately, the spinning wheel has been appearing, especially when I place a photo via drag-and-drop, but also when I use the "Place" command from the menu. When the spinning wheel appears (and stays there), I can close or save the document, but the undo/redo functions no longer work, other functions work limited. After closing all documents, I have to force-quit the application; otherwise, InDesign won’t close. When I reopen it, sometimes it loads previously closed documents with recovery, even though I closed them myself. The "CPU Preview / Preflight Off" mode doesn’t work. I work with local documents (I don’t…
2 votes -
21.2 Acting Strange
I updated to 21.2 and ever since then, I have had these things happen:
1. Freezes (beach ball spinning)
2. Unable to "undo" (the undo is greyed out and Indesign seems to have no memory of the last event
3. Icons get stuck. When I change tools, it still is showing the magnifying glass tool not the selection or type tool. But I acts like that tool is active (so can type text, but shows magnifying glass icon)
4. Is crashing A LOT! And it has been years since I have had any issues with Indeisgn crashing.Anyone know what is goin on? I updated my OS and also tried numerous restarts and reboots. I am on a MacBook Pro running Taho 26.4
I updated to 21.2 and ever since then, I have had these things happen:
1. Freezes (beach ball spinning)
2. Unable to "undo" (the undo is greyed out and Indesign seems to have no memory of the last event
3. Icons get stuck. When I change tools, it still is showing the magnifying glass tool not the selection or type tool. But I acts like that tool is active (so can type text, but shows magnifying glass icon)
4. Is crashing A LOT! And it has been years since I have had any issues with Indeisgn crashing.Anyone know what…
2 votes -
AI content labelling
Hi, I just opened indesign to see my own work labelled as AI generated. I haven't used any AI tools to produce any of my data, yet it appears as such in many instances. Are these metadata stores upon export too? How is Adobe going to address this? This basically robs me of my copyrights. Would appreciate if this was only toggle on/off feature, and not the default.
Cheers,
Tomas2 votes -
InDesign for macOS clearing Undo stack
- Adobe InDesign 2026 v21.2.0.30 for macOS
- Restart macOS, Open document in InDesign, and work with document normally.
- Undo should remain available, with a long history of undo steps while working on a document.
- During the course of working with the document at some point the history will clear and undo will become unavailable via keyboard shortcut, menu, or the panel.
This behavior is similar to the behavior described in ID-4274243 (https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs/suggestions/50813147--id-4274243-indesign-clearing-undo-stack-frequent?linkId=100000398096855) but unlike that issue, this is affecting users on macOS and is present in v21.2.0.30.
Two users on our staff are affected, both are running macOS 26.3 on a 16" MacBook Pro w/ M1 Pro, connected to an Asus ProArt 4k monitor via USB-C.
- Adobe InDesign 2026 v21.2.0.30 for macOS
- Restart macOS, Open document in InDesign, and work with document normally.
- Undo should remain available, with a long history of undo steps while working on a document.
- During the course of working with the document at some point the history will clear and undo will become unavailable via keyboard shortcut, menu, or the panel.
This behavior is similar to the behavior described in ID-4274243 (https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601180-adobe-indesign-bugs/suggestions/50813147--id-4274243-indesign-clearing-undo-stack-frequent?linkId=100000398096855) but unlike that issue, this is affecting users on macOS and is present in v21.2.0.30.
Two users on our staff are affected, both are running macOS 26.3…
2 votes -
Dotted lines are not exported correctly
Dotted lines are not exported correctly. Corners on a path is ignored. End parts of straight lines are ignored too.
2 votes -
InDesing 2026 - Document assembly issue
When I try to assemble my InDesign document, an error message appears stating that it is impossible to package the document or link the necessary files. However, no links are broken and the path to the company server is working. This is very problematic when I have a multi-page document…
2 votes -
Installing InDesign 20.5.2 caused the system to make it the default version, replacing 21.2.0 as the default app for opening InDesign files
When I double-click the file I have been working on, I get an error message that says it couldn't be opened because it was created by a newer version of InDesign. It calls out 21.2 as the offender. If I look at the recent updates for Creative Cloud, it looks like 21.2 was updated 19 days ago, and 20.5.2 was updated 13 days ago. It looks like the association for which app to open .indd files was changed with the 20.5.2 update, and it no longer opens the latest version of the product. I can open 21.2 manually, but I can't just click on the file and have it open correctly. Your right hand doesn't know what the left is doing! Please send another update for the 21.2 (or later dot number) to correct this.
When I double-click the file I have been working on, I get an error message that says it couldn't be opened because it was created by a newer version of InDesign. It calls out 21.2 as the offender. If I look at the recent updates for Creative Cloud, it looks like 21.2 was updated 19 days ago, and 20.5.2 was updated 13 days ago. It looks like the association for which app to open .indd files was changed with the 20.5.2 update, and it no longer opens the latest version of the product. I can open 21.2 manually, but I…
2 votesWorkaround1: Set Default Version to 21.2.0
- Right-click any .indd file
- Select Open with → Choose another app
- Click More apps
- Select Adobe InDesign 21.2.0
- Check “Always use this app to open .indd files”
- Click OK
Workaround2: Uninstall 21.2.0 and reinstall it to correct the default application.
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Adobe InDesign Team
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[ID-4277180]InDesign v21.2.0.030 crashes on quit in SubProcess
Version of Adobe InDesign, InCopy or InDesign Server
Adobe InDesign 2026, Version 21.2.0.30 (Build 21200)
Running on macOS 26.2 (25C56) on Apple Silicon (Mac14,2, 16 GB RAM)
Steps to reproduce the issue
1. Launch Adobe InDesign 2026.
2. Open any document (or create a new blank document).
3. Work normally for a while, or even do nothing.
4. Choose “InDesign > Quit InDesign” or press Cmd+Q.
5. Confirm quitting if prompted.
Expected result
InDesign quits cleanly without any error message and returns to the macOS desktop.
Actual result
• InDesign crashes on quit every time.
• macOS shows a crash dialog stating that “Adobe InDesign 2026 quit unexpectedly” (or similar wording).
• The macOS crash report shows:
• Exception Type: EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT)
• Termination Reason: Namespace SIGNAL, Code 6, “Abort trap: 6”
• Crash is triggered in Thread 10.
• This happens even after:
• Resetting InDesign preferences on launch.
• Deleting InDesign caches and preference folders in the user Library.
• Completely uninstalling and reinstalling InDesign via Creative Cloud.
• Testing in a brand-new macOS user account.
Additional context
• The same InDesign version (21.2.0.30) on my previous Mac and macOS version did not show this problem; the issue started only after migrating to the new Mac (same InDesign version, newer macOS).
• No third‑party plug‑ins are installed (or all third‑party plug‑ins have been removed for testing).
• The crash occurs regardless of which document is open; even a new, empty document triggers the crash on quit.Version of Adobe InDesign, InCopy or InDesign Server
Adobe InDesign 2026, Version 21.2.0.30 (Build 21200)
Running on macOS 26.2 (25C56) on Apple Silicon (Mac14,2, 16 GB RAM)
Steps to reproduce the issue
1. Launch Adobe InDesign 2026.
2. Open any document (or create a new blank document).
3. Work normally for a while, or even do nothing.
4. Choose “InDesign > Quit InDesign” or press Cmd+Q.
5. Confirm quitting if prompted.
Expected result
InDesign quits cleanly without any error message and returns to the macOS desktop.
Actual result
• InDesign crashes on quit every time.
• macOS shows a crash…2 votesHi,
Thank you for reporting the issue. It is currently under investigation.
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Adobe InDesign Team
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InDesign 21.1 x64 on PC: panels not expanding when clicking on the icon
Panels sometimes do not expand when clicking on an icon in the right-hand column of panels. It seems random. Sometimes the panel you choose expands when you click on the icon (as it should), but sometimes you have to click the two little chevrons pointing leftward at the top of the column of icons, which makes them all expand and it's a mess to work with. Only the one you click on should expand, but sometimes it doesn't.
This isn't a new bug. There were previous submissions about this and the issue was supposedly resolved, but it is NOT. The comments are closed, so I couldn't comment on there that the issue is not resolved. This has been happening ever since the first upgrade at the beginning of the year. I'm on the latest update and still having this issue.
Panels sometimes do not expand when clicking on an icon in the right-hand column of panels. It seems random. Sometimes the panel you choose expands when you click on the icon (as it should), but sometimes you have to click the two little chevrons pointing leftward at the top of the column of icons, which makes them all expand and it's a mess to work with. Only the one you click on should expand, but sometimes it doesn't.
This isn't a new bug. There were previous submissions about this and the issue was supposedly resolved, but it is NOT. The…
2 votes -
Linked image within illustrator file not appearing when placed in indesign
Using:
InDesign 21.1
Link created in Illustrator 30.2.1I have a map created in Illustrator with a background (flattened) tiff which displays fine in Illustrator. Once placed into InDD, the tiff won't appear (layer is ON and printing) and doesn't get included in exports (thus eliminating a rendering issue of any kind).
This has happened on 2 separate files but is fine in others with the same set-up.
On occasion the tiff will reappear...
This is a recent 'development' in past 2 weeks.2 votes -
won't place images mac os tahoe
Mac OS Tahoe, INDD version 21.2 and can't place a jpg. That simple. Seems silly report. Files open, anc can't be modified, error here, error trying to close. But main problem, can't place a jpg.
2 votes -
close
Freezes when I try to close the program. It will either not close at all, no matter how many force stops/close buttons I hit, or it will completely crash instead of closing safely.
2 votes -
Ongoing performance issues with large InDesign files
We’re running into frequent slowdowns and crashes when working with large InDesign documents (lots of pages, linked assets, complex styles, long text flows). It’s happening across multiple machines, not just one setup.
At Tech Formation, we support teams that depend on InDesign for real production work, and these issues are starting to affect delivery timelines and workflows.
It would be great to know whether this is a known issue and whether there’s any workaround or logging we can enable to help diagnose it.2 votes -
Continuous issues with 21.1 on Windows 11 - Won't Open/Crashing
Since updating to 21.1 (2026), I have to repair the Visual C++ Redistributables, restart, and then reset preferences with Shift+Ctrl+Alt just to get InDesign to open. Error OXC0000142. I have done this numerous times, and each week, I have to do it again.
It also has crashed my (and others on our team) computers which makes them boot into the BIOS to a Support Repair screen.
21.1 is near unusable at this point.
2 votes -
Severe InDesign Performance Issues
I’m reporting severe and ongoing performance problems with InDesign that are significantly affecting day-to-day work.
The application has become consistently slow and laggy during normal use — including delays when clicking, saving, zooming, switching pages, placing assets, and general UI responsiveness. At times, even simple actions take several seconds and the software feels almost unusable.
While performance is worse when working from Dropbox-synced folders, the same lag and delays also occur when working with files stored fully locally. This suggests the issue is not limited to cloud storage and may be a broader performance problem within InDesign itself.
This behavior is happening across regular production files and is causing major productivity loss for our workflow.
Please investigate and prioritize improvements to overall performance and stability. InDesign is currently much slower than other Adobe applications and has become difficult to use efficiently.
Thank you for your assistance.
NechamaI’m reporting severe and ongoing performance problems with InDesign that are significantly affecting day-to-day work.
The application has become consistently slow and laggy during normal use — including delays when clicking, saving, zooming, switching pages, placing assets, and general UI responsiveness. At times, even simple actions take several seconds and the software feels almost unusable.
While performance is worse when working from Dropbox-synced folders, the same lag and delays also occur when working with files stored fully locally. This suggests the issue is not limited to cloud storage and may be a broader performance problem within InDesign itself.
This behavior…
2 votes -
Batch HTML Export Crashes InDesign 21.1
Here is a (Gemini 3-assisted) report of an HTML export problem that is crashing InDesign consistently. It's somewhat urgent because crashing InDesign is not good for the nerves. Reverting to 21.0.1 permits the script to run to completion.
Bug Report: Regression in HTML Export Automation (dvacore::xml / AXE8)
Subject: InDesign 21.1 (and Prerelease) crashes with EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION in dvacore::xml during iterative HTML Export scripting.
Summary: Automated workflows that iterate through documents to export HTML (ExportFormat.HTML) fail consistently after processing 2–5 files. The crash occurs during the document closure or immediate post-processing phase of the export. This is a regression. The identical script logic functioning on the same hardware/OS was stable in previous InDesign builds (v21.0) but now crashes 100% of the time in v21.1.0.56.
Environment:
Application: InDesign 2026 (21.1.0.56) & Prerelease (21.2) Build
OS: Windows 11 Pro (Build 26200)
Hardware: Intel Core i7-12700K, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 (Driver 32.0.15.8157)
RAM: 64GB
Crash Signature: The crash consistently occurs in the dvacore module, specifically involving the Expat XML parser used during HTML generation.
• Exception: 0xc0000005 (ACCESSVIOLATION)
• Faulting Module: dvacore.dll
• Key Stack Symbols:
dvacore::xml::GetParser
AXE8ExpatTerminate (in AXE8SharedExpat.dll)
WCrashHandler::operator=
Steps to Reproduce:
Create a folder containing 5+ simple .indd documents of two to four pages in length.
Run the following ExtendScript (.jsx) to batch export them to HTML:
JavaScripttarget indesign
var folder = Folder.selectDialog("Select folder");
var files = folder.getFiles("*.indd");for (var i = 0; i < files.length; i++) {
var doc = app.open(files[i]);// Valid HTML export destination var htmlFile = new File(files[i].parent + "/" + files[i].name + ".html"); // Export doc.exportFile(ExportFormat.HTML, htmlFile); // Close Document doc.close(SaveOptions.NO);}
Observed Behavior:
• File 1: Exports successfully.
• File 2-3: InDesign crashes silently or throws the error report immediately upon calling doc.close() or starting the next app.open().
• Attempted Workarounds (All Failed):
Forcing Garbage Collection ($.gc()) between iterations.
Purging Caches (app.purge(PurgeOptions.ALLCACHES)).
Adding $.sleep(3000) delays to allow file locks to release.
Running in UserInteractionLevels.NEVERINTERACT vs INTERACTWITHALL.
Analysis: The stack trace showing AXE8_ExpatTerminate strongly suggests a race condition or resource leak in the HTML/XML subsystem. It appears the XML parser instance created for the first export is not being correctly destroyed or released by the time the script initiates the second export cycle. When the application attempts to re-engage dvacore::xml::GetParser, it hits invalid memory.
Impact: Batch automation for HTML outputs is currently impossible in v21.1 without restarting the application instance for every single document.Here is a (Gemini 3-assisted) report of an HTML export problem that is crashing InDesign consistently. It's somewhat urgent because crashing InDesign is not good for the nerves. Reverting to 21.0.1 permits the script to run to completion.
Bug Report: Regression in HTML Export Automation (dvacore::xml / AXE8)
Subject: InDesign 21.1 (and Prerelease) crashes with EXCEPTIONACCESSVIOLATION in dvacore::xml during iterative HTML Export scripting.
Summary: Automated workflows that iterate through documents to export HTML (ExportFormat.HTML) fail consistently after processing 2–5 files. The crash occurs during the document closure or immediate post-processing phase of the export. This is a regression.…2 votes
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