Open ACBL files

  • Full name
    Adobe Color Book Format
  • Developer
    Adobe Systems
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a ACBL file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a ACBL file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your ACBL file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is ACBL file?

The file extension ACBL is used by the desktop publishing software Adobe Indesign for so-called Color Book Legacy files. In these color libraries or catalogs are stored. These consist of a collection of color codes, names, brightness and chroma values, and color space specifications such as RGB, LAB or CMYK. In addition, library information such as name, description, color number and author are included.

More info

ACBL is an XML-based format and represents the old color book format. Meanwhile, Adobe has again introduced a binary format using the extension acb.

ACBL color catalog files are commonly used in image editing and print production to meet a specific color standard. Depending on the intended use of the image (screen, print, etc.), certain color catalogs are better suited than others.

These files are stored in the legacy directory within the color charts or color swatches directory.

Programs which can open a ACBL file

How to open file with ACBL extension?

In order to open a file with ACBL extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening ACBL file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with ACBL files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Adobe InDesign or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening ACBL files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support ACBL files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of ACBL files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Adobe InDesign as the default program for opening ACBL files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate ACBL files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Adobe InDesign applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Adobe InDesign has been installed.

2
3
Check the section that lists most common problems with ACBL files

Sometimes problems with opening ACBL files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • ACBL files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open ACBL files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • ACBL file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Similar extensions