Open IDML files

  • Full name
    Adobe InDesign Markup Format
  • Developer
    Adobe Systems
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a IDML 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 IDML file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your IDML file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is IDML file?

With the file extension IDML, documents of the DTP (Desktop Publishing) solution InDesign are marked in the so-called InDesign Markup Language Format. With InDesign, for example, you can create print templates and layouts for print products such as flyers, catalogs or brochures.

More info

Imdl files are documents (extension indd), which were saved via the export function of InDesign via 'File -> Export'. An imdl file is a ZIP-compressed archive containing various XML files. So besides the designmap.Xml, which specifies the global document settings and the document layout, there are also Graphics.Xml, Fonts.Xml and Styles.Xml.

The IMDL format is designed for sharing between different InDesign versions and was introduced with the CS4 version as a replacement for the INX format, but can not be processed by earlier versions.

Programs which can open a IDML file

How to open file with IDML extension?

In order to open a file with IDML extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening IDML 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 IDML files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Adobe InDesign or other program from the list

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

Set Adobe InDesign as the default program for opening IDML 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 IDML 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.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with IDML files

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

  • File data is corrupted
  • IDML 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 IDML files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • IDML 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)

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