Being able to save backwards multiple versions has been an ongoing frustration for some InDesign users, especially those who don't upgrade with each version. The process for opening a CS4 document in CS3 is fairly straightforward. Export the CS4 document to INX format, and then open the INX file in the updated version of InDesign CS3.
Unfortunately, you can't open that INX file in InDesign CS2. Instead, you have to play a leapfrog game in which you open the INX file in InDesign CS3, save it, and then export it again to an INX file, which can then be opened in InDesign CS2. That's all fine and dandy, but what if you don't have InDesign CS3? In this case, I'm not sure what the best solution is. Here's a comment Richard left in the Help topic on saving backwards:
You may want to add this to the Adobe suggestion box: have an automated, fee-based set-up where users can upload files to be converted to earlier Adobe products. I, like Lauren and Robb, need a couple of InDesign CS4 files "saved down" to CS2 and am not comfortable with having a 'stranger' in the forum converting proprietary files for us. If we users could pay a few bucks per file to be able to upload it (via e-mail or FTP) to Adobe, have it converted, then e-mailed back to us that'd be a great service to us customers
I have InDesign CS3 on my computer. If you have InDesign CS4 files that need to be opened in CS2, I'll try to help you out by exporting your files to INX format that can be opened in CS2.
Please realize that I'm not doing this in any official Adobe capacity. I'm doing it on my own, at no cost to you. I have only so much extra free time to convert files, so if you have a lot of CS4 files that need to be converted, please look for a different solution.
Here's what to do:
1. Send me an email message entitled "Save Backwards" with no attachment. My email filter blocks messages with attachments from unknown senders. To avoid spam, I'll spell out my email address below:
bbringhu at adobe dot com
2. Convert the InDesign CS4 document to INX format that can be opened in InDesign CS3. To do this, choose File > Export, choose InDesign CS3 Interchange, from the File Type (Windows) or Format (Mac OS) menu, and then click Save.
3. Reply to my message with the INX file attached.
I'll open it in InDesign CS3, save it to INX, and send that INX file back to you as soon as I can.
Update: In comments, David Blatner mentioned a different method for saving down from CS4 to CS2. You may want to try that approach first.
This is extremely generous of you, Bob! But one other option open to people is laid out by Mike Rankin here: http://indesignsecrets.com/double-downsave.php
Agreed - this is extremely generous of you. This helps us exponentially - and saved me from HOURS of work re-creating the CS4 document in CS2. Thank you thank you!
I have a client who sends me docs in CS2 - I am using Cs4. I don't need to use Cs4 for this job.
I still have disks for CS2. Is there a way to reload CS2? (I've tried reinstalling but the serial number comes back as invalid.)
[Call Adobe Customer Support. They'll help you with your serial number. -Bob]
I am working in CS3 and have a CS4 file that came in for a job.
Can you give me directions, if any, on how to open the CS4 file from CS3?
Thanks.
Elaine
In the past I have used this .inx trick to open CS4 files in CS2, but now it no longer works. We are usning version 6.0.3. Did Adobe do do something to prevent this from working.
The INX trick is schweet! I tried it today; went from CS4 v6.0.3 straight to CS2 v4.0.5 without a hitch.
Where can I find the plugin for InDesign CS3 which enables me to open .inx files (saved from InDesign CS4). I cannot find the name of the plugin so searching for it is a nightmare. I have downloaded & installed all recent CS3 updates & this still does not work.
Regards
Maria Fascione
It sounds like someone used a 3rd party plug-in to create the CS4 document, and that plug-in isn't allowing the INX file to be opened in CS3. Send me the original InDesign CS4 file, and I'll try to save it as an INX file that you can open in CS3. bbringhu at adobe dot com
I would bristle at having to pay a fee, no matter how small, for downsaving. These software developers should be making their programs backwards compatible -- in both directions -- as a matter of course. This is just a scam, a kind of planned obsolescence, to induce more people to shell out the big bucks for upgrades of dubious quality. This is morally reprehensible and will only hasten the march of open source.
Thanks for help.