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

That is simply saving the same source file over itself, which will work all day long.

I've run a couple more tests and have narrowed it to this:

I export a PDF from InDesign. If I do NOT open the PDF, I can re-export with the same name just fine and save over it.

Once I OPEN the PDF, I will no longer be able to save over it even after it is closed and I quit Acrobat.

---- edit ----

Ok...so if I even select the darn PDF in Finder, without opening it, I will no longer be able to save over it. That is just crazy.

Yes indeed, I specifically did what you asked successfully, but I save and resave files with the same name all day long every day whether it's InDesign or Text or Illustrator or whatever.

The issue is solely with exporting PDF with the same name from InDesign.

I've narrowed this further now. The action that is actually kicking the error is:

>> If I have the exported PDF selected in Finder, not open, just highlighted in Finder, I am prevented from re-exporting the PDF using the same name. This is only happening with PDF. If I export EPS or JPG from InDesign and select it in Finder the same way, I can export the file over the original every time. PDF export while the file is selected in Finder seems to be the issue. I have never encountered having to deselect a file in Finder just to re-export it. As soon as I deselect the PDF, I can again export it with the same name. Only PDF. Only exporting from InDesign.

Frankly I don't know how InDesign would even know what's selected in the Finder, much less why it would care.

That is why it seems to be an OS related thing rather than the software. It is specific to exporting a PDF that is selected in Finder. I can export JPG, EPS or any other format from InDesign while the previous version is selected in Finder. It is very odd and I just don't recall this happening on any of my other computers. Now that I see what makes this happen, I'll test on a different system at work and perhaps have a colleague test as well. Thanks for your time on it.

This issue does appear to be OS related. On my G5 running 10.4.8 rather than Snow Leopard, using the same InDesign CS4 I can repeatedly export a PDF with the same name while that PDF is selected in Finder. The only difference is the OS version. So, either there is a setting somewhere or Snow Leopard has a problem with PDFs being selected and considering that "in use."

Is there anyone that has experienced this behavior that has determined why this is happening and how to prevent it? I know I can save a new file name, but that creates an inefficient workflow at times where versions of the exported file are unnecessary. I edit a spelling error or pop in the proper logo...why shouldn't I be able to export the file again without shuffling to Finder to deselect the PDF?

Hey Marc55. Technically I never found a solution. Illustrator doesn't seem to care whether a PDF is selected when you want to resave over it. InDesign, however, fails every time. Still does this using CS5. I have to either delete or deselect the PDF. Still a pain in the butt.