InDesign Help

InDesign Help reader, Shannon, recently wrote in with a question about files with an IDLK file extension. Her problem ended up being a bit complex and somewhat specific to her permissions/network but I thought it would be beneficial to all to briefly go over what IDLK files are and what they aren’t.

IDLK files are created when you open up an indd document. They should appear in the same directory you opened your original file from and they exist to aid in work flows. The only point of the files is to keep others from opening the same file and doing redundant work. If you have multiple people working on a shared document you generally don’t want multiple people making changes at the same time. For more advanced shared work flows I recommend InCopy but that would be a whole new set of articles.

IDLK files are known as Lock Files, they prevent a coworker from opening your document when you are working on it.

IDLK files do not contain file information

You can open a file that is currently in use by making a copy of the indd and then opening it.

People tend to only notice lock files when they cause problems but I’m a firm believer in their benefits. Programs like Adobe Acrobat do not have a similar feature and as such have caused massive problems in the past when multiple people have simultaneously worked on the same document. Using InCopy is a much better way of sharing the work load between one document and something to look into purchasing if you use such a work flow on a regular basis.

That’s about it for idlks, they have a limit use and don’t do much more than keep others from editing a document you’re currently working on. I hope that helps and as always; happy InDesigning.