Can I open Adobe® InDesign® files in an earlier version of InDesign®?

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InDesign CS4 files cannot be opened in InDesign CS3, and InDesign CS3 files cannot be opened in InDesign CS2, but there is a way to export an InDesign CS4 file so it can be opened in CS3 or an InDesign CS3 file can be opened in CS2. Here's how:

To export from InDesign CS4 or CS3:

  • Open an InDesign CS4 or CS3 file
  • Go to File > Export
  • In the Format field, choose InDesign Interchange
  • Name the file
  • Scroll to the folder/directory you want it saved in
  • Click Save
  • The file extension will become .inx

To open in an earlier version of InDesign:

  • Go to File > Open
  • Scroll to the folder/directory containing the saved the .inx file  
  • Double-click on the .inx file
  • Save the file as an InDesign CS3 or CS2 (.indd) file
    • Make sure the name is different than the original CS4 or CS3 file name so you don't overwrite the original file

To open InDesign CS2 files in InDesign CS

InDesign CS2 files cannot be opened in InDesign CS, but there is a way to export an InDesign CS2 file so you can. Here's how:

To export from InDesign CS2:

  • Open an InDesign CS 2 file
  • Go to File > Export
  • In the Save as type field, choose InDesign Interchange
  • Name the file
  • Scroll to the folder/directory you want it saved in
  • Click Save
  • The file extension will become .inx

To open in InDesign CS:

  • Make sure you have version 3.0.1 dated April 2005 installed
    • If you don’t have this version, download it from Adobe’s Web site at www.adobe.com > Support > Downloads
    • Install the update before trying to open the .inx file
  • Go to File > Open
  • Scroll to the folder/directory containing the saved the .inx file  
  • Double-click on the .inx file
  • Save the file as an InDesign CS (.indd) file
    • Make sure the name is different than the CS2 file name so you don't overwrite the original file