Failed to open document - This file includes features from a later version of Affinity.

[Eilidh]

Yesterday I upgraded my trial version of Affinity Publisher 2 to the paid version. It proceeded to update the software and I thought all good to go. However, when I went to open a file created by a friend in the exact same software I received this error message, as can be see in the photo.

Failed to open document - This file includes features from a later version of Affinity.

As I have the latest updates surely this is impossible? I have tried:

• restarting the laptop
• reinstalling the app
• restarting the laptop again
• reinstalling the app again
• restarting the laptop again
• Shut down over night

But nothing has worked. I'm still getting the same error message. My friend has also tried saving the file under a different name, but nothing has worked.

I am able to open older files but not newer ones. When I've reinstalled the App is says I have the latest version. So I am not sure what to do. Very frustrating, especially now that I have paid for the App...

[PaulEC]

Are you sure your friend is using the same version as you and not a beta version of the software?

Could you upload the file here?

[NathanC]

Welcome to the forums @Eilidh,

Along with what Paul's mentioned with your friend running the beta, he could have also downloaded the 2.2 update that was unintentionally sent out to the release apps back at the start of August, he can check if this is the case by opening the standard Publisher 2.2 app and going to Help > About (on Windows). If this is the case the below FAQ instructions will need to be followed to rectify this on his device.

If this is the case (or if he is running the beta apps) You'll need to download the separate beta apps in order to open and access his files, I've linked the signup page below.

https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/affinity-beta-program/

[Eilidh]

Many thanks. I didn't know about the Beta version. I will find out what version he has and hopefully we can get it sorted either way.

[Fothad]

I am the person who saved the problematic file in Beta, with the 2.2 update of which I knew nothing till just now.  The difficulty I have is how to ensure that the important document will not be irretrievable for both of us if I roll back to before 2.2, as any back-up would surely also have been saved in 2.2.

SPNS Newsletter_Aut 2023_v3.afpub

[NathanC]

Welcome to the forums @Fothad,

1 hour ago, Fothad said:

I am the person who saved the problematic file in Beta, with the 2.2 update of which I knew nothing till just now.  The difficulty I have is how to ensure that the important document will not be irretrievable for both of us if I roll back to before 2.2, as any back-up would surely also have been saved in 2.2.

I would suggest uninstalling your current Publisher app as per the instructions in the linked FAQ below, and then re-installing the correct version again (2.1.1).

You can then sign up and download the beta apps (which install as separate applications to the normal release apps) and then continue to work on your files which have been saved in 2.2. The attached file in question opens without any problems in the 2.2 beta app.

https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/affinity-beta-program/