---
title: ".indd file — what it is and how to open it"
description: "A .indd file is an Adobe InDesign Document. The layout file behind magazines, books and brochures — InDesign only. How to open one on Windows, macOS and Linux, and what to convert it to."
url: https://atoneplace.net/file/indd/
site: "At One Place"
---

# .indd files

**.indd file: Adobe InDesign Document**

The layout file behind magazines, books and brochures — InDesign only.

## What opens a .indd file

- **Windows:** Adobe InDesign
- **macOS:** Adobe InDesign
- **Linux:** No supported option — ask for a PDF or IDML export

## What a .indd file is

INDD is Adobe InDesign's working document, holding the page layout with links to external images and fonts rather than copies of them. No other application opens it, and even InDesign refuses files saved in a newer version than yours. The way to share one is an IDML export, which older InDesign versions and QuarkXPress can read, or a PDF if the recipient only needs to look at it.

## Converting it

A .indd file is commonly converted to .pdf, .idml, .epub or .jpg. It is a binary format, so a text editor will show unreadable characters rather than its contents.

## Details

- **Extension:** .indd
- **Full name:** Adobe InDesign Document
- **Category:** Documents
- **Created by:** Adobe
- **Format:** Binary

## Common questions

### How do I open a .indd file?

On Windows use Adobe InDesign; on macOS use Adobe InDesign; on Linux use No supported option — ask for a PDF or IDML export. The layout file behind magazines, books and brochures — InDesign only.

### What is a .indd file?

Adobe InDesign Document. INDD is Adobe InDesign's working document, holding the page layout with links to external images and fonts rather than copies of them. No other application opens it, and even InDesign refuses files saved in a newer version than yours.

### Can I convert a .indd file?

Yes. It is usually converted to .pdf, .idml, .epub or .jpg, either by exporting from one of the programs listed above or with a format converter.

## Related pages

- [.pdf — Portable Document Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/pdf/)
- [.docx — Word Document (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/docx/)
- [.xlsx — Excel Workbook (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xlsx/)
- [.pptx — PowerPoint Presentation (Open XML)](https://atoneplace.net/file/pptx/)
- [.txt — Plain Text File](https://atoneplace.net/file/txt/)
- [.doc — Word Document (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/doc/)
- [.xls — Excel Workbook (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/xls/)
- [.ppt — PowerPoint Presentation (legacy binary)](https://atoneplace.net/file/ppt/)
- [.md — Markdown Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/md/)
- [.rtf — Rich Text Format](https://atoneplace.net/file/rtf/)
- [.pages — Apple Pages Document](https://atoneplace.net/file/pages/)
- [.odt — OpenDocument Text](https://atoneplace.net/file/odt/)

## Sources

- Media Types Registry — IANA (https://www.iana.org/assignments/media-types/)
- Official vendor product documentation — At One Place (/about/)