---
title: "How do I manage InDesign files?"
date: "2025-01-09T16:20:55+00:00"
summary:
image:
type: "page"
url: "/acquia-dam/how-do-i-manage-indesign-files"
id: "79460fda-3712-4e46-97e5-998c6ab0fee4"
---

Table of contents will be added

There are a few ways you can manage InDesign files in Acquia DAM. If you have [permission](What-does-each-permission-mean), you can package and [upload](How-do-I-upload-assets) zipped versions of InDesign files to the DAM, and when they're downloaded, their linked images and fonts will also download.  
  
If you're using the CI HUB Connector, [link assets](How-do-I-link-assets-to-CI-HUB-in-existing-InDesign-documents) to the DAM from InDesign. Linking to assets within the DAM ensures the most current files are accessed and reduces the risk of uploading duplicates. Note that only single-page PDFs can be linked as images in InDesign. Multi-page PDFs cannot be linked. If a multiple page PDF is pulled in using the Connector, only the first page will be linked.  
  
You can also create [global collections](/acquia-dam/what-are-collections "What are collections?") of InDesign files.

Package files for upload
------------------------

When sending InDesign files to a printer or to someone who doesn't use the Connector, we recommend packaging the high-res file. Packaging puts all images and fonts used in the file, along with the file itself, into a single folder that can be delivered to and opened by the vendor or someone who isn't using the Connector.  
  
To package an InDesign file, click File > Package.  
  
Packaging downloads the images in the file to your computer, creating an InDesign archive. Compress the file into a ZIP folder, which can then be uploaded to the DAM for further distribution. When the ZIP file is downloaded, it can be opened without the Connector.

Create InDesign archive previews
--------------------------------

Previews will automatically be created for InDesign files uploaded to the DAM. For the preview to display, the ZIP file that was uploaded must include a PDF with the same filename as the InDesign file (e.g., InDesign Archives Preview.idd and InDesign Archives Preview.pdf) in the same folder on the same level as the PDF.  
  
A PDF with the same filename as the InDesign file is found at the same level as the InDesign file will be used for the preview. If a PDF is not available, a thumbnail will be extracted from the InDesign file if one exists. A preview will not be created if neither exist.

Set up InDesign preferences
---------------------------

We recommend setting up InDesign preferences in order for previews to be created correctly:

1.  Open InDesign.
2.  Click the InDesign CC menu.
3.  Select **Preferences**.
4.  Select **File Handling**.
5.  Change the settings on the Preferences page to match the preferences in the image below.

![Set up preferences in InDesign so that previews display correctly.](https://acquia.widen.net/content/83fbf523-8297-41f9-81f7-66a81629c9d2/web/ka0Pb0000006tY500N6g00000WDN1a0EM6g000005Lvl0.png)

Create preflight reports
------------------------

Before sending an InDesign file to someone else, you can perform a quality check to make sure links are all working and images are embedded correctly. To get a list of images used in your file, create a preflight report in InDesign:

1.  Click **File > Package**.
2.  Click **Report**.
3.  Name the report.
4.  Click **Save**.

Open the file from the location you saved it in, then scroll to the Links and Images section to see a list of those used in the file, along with other file information.  
  
Find more information about preflighting files on Adobe's [Preflight files before handoff](https://helpx.adobe.com/indesign/using/preflighting-files-handoff.html) page.

Create global collections
-------------------------

After InDesign files are uploaded to the DAM, you can create a global collection of them to easily access, download, and share the files with others. A clear naming process for global collections should be established for easy searching.