Expert: Ken Black - 9/28/2010

Question
I am working in InDesign CS5.
How do I save the document for earlier versions, CS3, CS4
My options in the drop down menu are as follows:
Adobe pdf (interactive)
Adobe pdf (print)
EPS
Flash CS5 Professional (FLA)
Flash Player (SWF)
InDesign Markup (IDML)
JPEG
XML

I see no reference to InDesign Exchange to produce a .inx file.

That option was available in CS3 but I do not see it in CS5.

Very confusing.

Answer
Hi Thomas,

Yes it is a bit confusing. Adobe changed the way things get back-saved with the introduction of IDML in CS 4.

In order to back save from CS 5, you must save it as a Indesign Markup file (IDML).

CS 4 will open your IDML file. CS 3 will not.

In order to go to CS 3, you will need to export in the Exchange format .inx. That will allow CS 3 to open the file.

If you want to go back further you will need to save it again as .inx from CS 3 in order to go to CS 2.

Always be aware that some formatting or features that were available in the newer versions of Indesign may not translate into the earlier versions or may become un-editable in the previous versions.

Thanks,

Ken Black