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Level 1

18 points

Can't save PDF "may not have permissions or file is in use"

On my MBP, when I export a PDF from InDesign to save over the previous version, which I may have saved just moments before, I constantly get the error: Can't save to the file "filename." You may not have permission or the file is in use.

HOWEVER, I am the only user on the MBP. I just saved the freaking original file the first time. The file is NOT in use. The only way I can save the file with the same name again is to delete the original.

If I check Permissions via Get Info, it clearly shows that I have Read & Write perms. Everyone else show read only, which is still a bit restrictive.

How can I convince OSX to apply the proper perms when I save a file? Why is it preventing me from saving over my own file?

MacBookPro5,3 2.8 C2Duo, Mac OS X (10.6.2)

Posted on Jun 2, 2011 5:08 PM

41 replies

squidz Author

Level 1

18 points

Feb 14, 2013 3:17 PM in response to deejson

I have noted that if I have attached a PDF to an email that is open and not yet sent, I will get the alert, as BrendonWBrown mentioned. I haven't noticed long term holding in use by Mail.

The original issue has basically forcably trained me to ALWAYS make sure I do not have a PDF selected in Finder if I want to save it again with the same file name. This has pretty much taken the issue out of my sight. However, occasionally, the "in use" alert will pop for reasons I'm not sure of. But that sole action of making sure the previous PDF is not selected in Finder has improved life.

May 22, 2013 3:21 PM in response to squidz

Same problem here, it drives me nuts.

Indesign CS6, OSX 10.8.3.

Issue happens when I have had the file selected in Finder. Even if it is not selected anymore I can still no longer save over the PDF.

Anyone have a solution?

clark777

Level 1

4 points

May 28, 2013 7:53 PM in response to squidz

Having the exact same issue here as well and it ALSO DRIVES ME NUTS. REALLY ***** when sending files to clients for revisions and wanting to save over the old file.

APPLE SUPPORT!!!... FIX THIS!!!!

nkmo

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2013 10:11 PM in response to clark777

I think I may have found a solution to this. It involves the Read/Write privileges for the "Staff" user account.

Navigate to the folder where you are having problems saving to. Get Info (Command + I) and scroll down to find the Sharing & Permissions pane. You will notice that the User account you are logged into has Read & Write privileges, however, there is a "Staff" account that only has Read privileges.

If you change the Staff privileges to "Read & Write", you should be able to save over your revisions.

squidz Author

Level 1

18 points

Jun 3, 2013 10:30 PM in response to nkmo

Man, I was hoping that would work. I even specifically changed the perms on the specific PDF file. But as long as I had it selected in Finder, there was no exporting a PDF of the same name from InDesign. Same error as always. Have you tested this successfully?

nkmo

Level 1

0 points

Jun 3, 2013 10:42 PM in response to squidz

It was successful for me. Can you try again without having it selected in Finder?

I am saving to Desktop>Work>ClientName>ClientProject>export.pdf, and I only changed the permissions for the "ClientName" folder.

squidz Author

Level 1

18 points

Jun 4, 2013 7:11 AM in response to nkmo

The issue for me and most in this thread has been that if a PDF is selected in Finder, it is considered "in use." This is not the case for JPG or TIFF or EPS file exported from InDesign while selected in Finder.

While I could see that the Staff user did not have Read & Write, I can save over it all day long as long as it it not selected in Finder.

I believe your solution may solve the potential permissions issue, but no the "file in use" error. Good to know though!

nkmo

Level 1

0 points

Jun 4, 2013 7:58 AM in response to squidz

Wierd. It looks like there are people having a couple different problems. I just realized this was in the 10.6 section, however there are people having "file in use" errors on 10.8 when overwriting .pdfs from inDesign regardless of Finder. My solution fixes that, I think.

As for the Finder issue, it seems to me that it only sees the file as "in use" when its creating a preview in Finder i.e. Thumbnail, Column and Cover Flow views, if you can make do with only using List view, you shouldn't ecounter those problems.

Jun 4, 2013 12:04 PM in response to squidz

I've been experience the same problem for ages on an iMac running mountain lion and CS6.. for me quitting the mail app enabled me to overwrite the pdf - otherwise I have to delete the pdf an export a fresh one. Quite annoying - especially as this has been going on for so long - I would have expected Apple to have fixed this by now!

Jul 26, 2013 5:33 AM in response to Actual_Oaks

Same problem here.

I'm running the latest version of Indesign and 10.8.4. I've tried all of the suggestions but nothing seems to work.

It's hard to tell whether it is an Apple problem or an Adobe problem, but it's strange that it only happens with Indesign. Frustrating.

Aug 29, 2013 9:55 AM in response to squidz

It is two things. I have the same issue with InDesign CC and OSX 10.8.4.

1. If the PDF is selected in the finder, it will fail to write over it using the same name with InDesign.

2. If you wrote a PDF, emailed it with Apple Mail, made revisions and attempted to rewrite the PDF over the last one using the same name it will fail. Mail is the culprit. It will not allow the overwrite. If you quit Mail, then attempt to write the PDF from InDesign, it writes the new file over the old one fine (provided you don't have it selected in the finder). If you trash the original PDF then write the new one in the same location the old one was, it writes fine.

ehsian

Level 1

8 points

Sep 11, 2013 8:08 AM in response to squidz

I had the problem too for the past year now.

Just yesterday, after my computer failure and complete wipe out, i reinstalled CS6.

I was able to overwrite the PDF no problem.

After i ran the update, i started getting the problem again. I think something in CS6 update is causing this error.

If i attach the file to an email or view it, i can not overwrite that pdf using Indesign pdf export.

I would either have to close my email, or delete the file and create a new pdf.

Is there a resolution to this yet? Maybe its a setting within CS6.

Sep 18, 2013 9:58 AM in response to Jack Slice

I have OSX 10.8.5 and InDesign CC

I've not been able to replicate the problems people have been having with a pdf selected in the finder ...

BUT I agree with you, Jack, about Apple Mail being a culprit (or at least, InDesign's relationship with Apple Mail)

Here's what's just happened to me:

I created a pdf from an InDesign file then created a new message in Apple Mail and added the pdf as an attachment. Then I suddenly realised the pdf needed amending (I'm only human!). So I deleted the pdf attachment, saved the draft, then went back to InDesign, made the amend and tried to create a new pdf only to get the dreaded message: 'Cannot save to the file "xxx.pdf". You may not have permission or the file may be in use.'

In the past I've tried closing Acrobat and closing and re-opening InDesign - all to no avail.

SOLUTION: Close the Apple Mail message.

You don't need to go as far as quitting Mail (as Jack suggested), just close the open message.

If you keep it open, even though you've deleted the attachment and saved it, InDesign still thinks the original pdf is 'in use' and won't let you save over it. Close it - and your problem goes away ...

🙂

tcano

Level 1

8 points

Sep 30, 2013 7:54 AM in response to Nick L Wingfield

I'm not sure it's limited to Apple Mail. One of my employees is having this issue, but she is using Outlook. She has never sent the document in Mail.

She also does not have the PDF selected in Finder. I have no idea what's going on, but ugh, this is frustrating!

Dec 3, 2013 12:56 PM in response to squidz

I have the same problem, although I don't use mac mail and have never opened it on this computer and the file is not highlighted in the finder.

I export from InDesign and unless I rename the file, it says the file is open or I don't have permissions. Even if I quit Photoshop and Acro Pro, I still can't save it.

ARGH.

Can't save PDF "may not have permissions or file is in use"