📄 Identify and fix issues in a problematic IDML file

🛠️ How to troubleshoot an IDML file effectively

If you're experiencing issues with an INDD or IDML document—such as crashes, missing previews, or unexpected behavior—the first step is to identify which elements are causing problems.

This guide helps you isolate problematic content by breaking down your document into single pages and analyzing them individually.

📄 Step 1: Split the document into single-page INDD files

1. Open your InDesign document.
2. Download and install the script DokumentAufsplitten from Hans Haesler (look for “Split a Document in Several Sections” on this page). This script lets you split a document into separate files per page.
3. Run the script:
   • In the dialog, select Jede Seite ein Dokument (Each page as a document), then click OK.
   • Next, select mit ursprünglicher Seitennummer (with original page number), then click OK.
4. A new folder containing individual INDD files will be created.

New to scripts? Learn how to install and run them here → Install an InDesign script

🔄 Step 2: Convert each single-page INDD to IDML

To convert your split INDD files to IDML format in bulk, follow the steps in this guide:

👉 📂 Batch convert IDML and PDF files from InDesign

If you prefer doing it manually, follow this guide:

👉 Export InDesign file in IDML format

📏 Step 3: Identify unusually large IDML files

1. Open the folder with all your new IDML files.
2. Sort files by size.
3. Look for any files significantly larger than others (e.g., over 300 KB).

⚠️ Note: Large files usually contain problematic content, such as embedded images or complex objects.

🧹 Step 4: Isolate and fix problematic elements

1. Open the corresponding INDD file of the large IDML.
2. Review the page content, especially:
   • Embedded or pasted images
   • Complex tables
   • Overly styled or interactive elements
   • Replace embedded images with linked ones:
   • Open Window > Links.
   • Select embedded images (⚠️ icon).
   • Right-click > Unembed Link, then choose a save location.
3. Simplify or remove content that’s overly complex.
4. Save the INDD and export a new IDML.

Repeat until all your IDML files are similar in size and free of issues.

📝 Summary

• Break down your INDD into single-page files.
• Export each one as IDML.
• Identify large IDML files as likely sources of issues.
• Simplify or replace problem elements to fix them.
• Re-export and test.

If issues persist, consider rebuilding your document or optimizing it for translation from the start:

→ Optimize InDesign files for translation