Cannot open PDF file in Acrobat created from InDesign or Illustrator (Mac, InDesign and Illustrator)

Last updated on May 24, 2023 | Also applies to Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InCopy

Issue

When trying to open a PDF generated from InDesign or Illustrator, Acrobat displays the following error message:

"Acrobat could not open '[name of file]' because it is either not a supported file type or because the file has been damaged (for example, it was sent as an email attachment and wasn't correctly decoded).

To create an Adobe PDF document, go to the source application. Then print the document to Adobe PDF."

Acrobat Error Image — Error message in Acrobat

Using Apple Preview, the error is, "Couldn't open the file. It may be corrupt or a file format that Preview doesn't recognize."

Preview Error Image — Error message in Apple Preview

Reason

The file was created by selecting the option "Save as PDF" from the Mac OS Print dialog.

This workflow is not supported.

Solution

Solution 1:Use the Export PDF (InDesign) or Save As > Adobe PDF (Illustrator) methods

InDesign

Choose File > Export and select Adobe PDF as the Format.
Select the desired PDF options.
Click Export.

Illustrator

Choose File Save and select Adobe PDF as the Format.
Select the desired PDF options.
Click Save PDF.

Solution 2: Print to Adobe PDF

InDesign and Illustrator

Choose File > Print.
Select Adobe PDF [version] from the Printer list.
Select the desired printer options.
Click Print.

Adobe

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