[IDML Implemented] How can I open Indesign (indd and idml) Files in Publisher?

[Gabe Logan]

Is it possible to open indd files? How?

[robinp]

I'm pretty sure this isn't possible

[Chris_K]

@Gabe Logan

Welcome to the Serif Affinity forums

It's not possible yet. There are plans to be able to open IDML files in the future

<mod edit> IDML not INDD file clarification was made in an edit on 6th July 2019 </mod edit>

[ZombieRofl]

1 minute ago, Chris_K said:

Not possible yet, plans to be able to in the future

Great to hear, because it will be a pretty important option in my opinion 

[onamac]

I have indesign files, but also old Quark files. Is there going to be that capability in the future for Quark (even older versions)? Thanks.

[vaultdweller]

@Chris_K

Is there any planned timeline for this? Are we talking months, years?

[benwiggy]

At the very least, importing IDML files is a must. Scribus and VivaDesigner both do this, and it's the only way to get punters to switch, if they've got legacy documents.

[Helmuth Pandora]

There are about four or five threads on this topic. Seems quite important to people. I also would like to see it, as it would make life easier

[Chris_K]

I can't give any timelines for this (IDML import, not INDD). It's being worked and will be in an update when it is considered working and relatively stable. But I would be talking more than a few weeks in not months, It's not a simple thing to just implement 

(edited by Patrick Connor for clarity that this is a statement about IDML and not INDD: 08 July 2019)

[ostonica]

AfPub, based on a very quick test, does a pretty good job of importing a PDF that I created of a book in InDesign. Needs a lot more testing, but that might be a short term option. 

HOWEVER, the next very important step for me is missing. 

I cannot export to a reflowable Epub 

Is that feature also planned. It is needed for every project I have. 

[spamjim]

Importing INDD requires that Publisher has the stable features to replicate what ID does. This is why you're not going to see INDD/IDML/INX import immediately.

[vaultdweller]

@Chris_K

Thanks Chris, I just wanted an estimate. I understand that it's a complicated feature to implement. Appreciate your work.

[Ehyup]

At last!! Thank you for Publisher!

My first thought was how do I import my indesign files? At the moment there is no 'Import' button and 'Open' an indesign file shows a greyed out 'filename.indd'. Hmmm?? But because I always create a pdf from my indd files, I found I could 'Open' the 'filename.pdf' with no problem other than it opens as pages not facing pages. I then clicked the 'Document Setup' tab and changed the 'Layout' to 'Facing Pages' and I now have my indesign page saved as 'filename.afpub'.

Good news!

[Patrick Connor]

@Ehyup

Welcome to the Serif Affinity forum  

I have merged your post into this popular thread as it goes some way to helping those asking a similar question.

[pinky]

Well that is just not good enough then, with no way to open commercial templates and Affinity not having their own for Publisher I think I'll pass to purchase the final version if it ever comes out. Good luck forcing people to work without templates.

[pet_r]

I think you need particularly the import from InDesign CS6 format. Many users do survive with this last perpetual version hoping and praying to be able to finally switch

[mark-h]

My next question is: do you think it will it ever be able to export to an InDesign format like it can a PSD? Unless industry standards change I need to be able to deliver editable layouts in a commonly-accepted format. PDFs won't always suffice, sadly.

[Kuptin]

That's the question I asked on another thread, Mark. It's an exact parallel with Word – you might hate it but if everyone else uses it then you have to be able to send them something they can work with.

So... if importing from ID is in the plan, is exporting, too?

[mark-h]

Just now, Kuptin said:

So... if importing from ID is in the plan, is exporting, too?

I'm not holding my breath. Designer can import Illustrator AI files but cannot export that format.

[Pixelkobold]

52 minutes ago, pinky said:

Well that is just not good enough then, with no way to open commercial templates and Affinity not having their own for Publisher I think I'll pass to purchase the final version if it ever comes out. Good luck forcing people to work without templates.

yeah but then it is still early beta....

[otheroom]

The ability to import InDesign files is a very important feature for me. I've been able to move my pixel and vector work to Affinity Photo and Designer completely because they do a reasonable job opening up PSD and AI files.

I don't use InDesign nearly as often but I do have files going back almost 20 years that I need to open from time to time.

[ballardstudio]

If Affinity doesn't do it, there probably will be a third-party plug-in like Markzware did with Q2ID.

[donmcdonald]

indd export not as critical as is the ability to import. Most are probably exporting the bulk of their efforts into some variation of pdf, but to move ongoing legacy projects to Publisher will require an InDesign import system of some sort (preferably sooner than later). 

[tmmls]

Please add an Indesign import feature. This is very important if you want people to migrate from Indesign to Publisher ...

[Zbigg]

1 hour ago, donmcdonald said:

indd export not as critical as is the ability to import. Most are probably exporting the bulk of their efforts into some variation of pdf, but to move ongoing legacy projects to Publisher will require an InDesign import system of some sort (preferably sooner than later). 

As long as we are supposed to test beta both import and export indd/idml ability IS CRITICAL because ITS BETA and if you do your work on beta you always have to be secured with possibility to finish your tasks/documents in the other app. If its not critical - should you use AP for fun only ? )) Imho.