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I can't sync idlk files as I get conflicted copies when we both open the file on Mac OS

I work togheter on an InDesign file with another user. Unfortunately from my side the .idlk (lock)file is not syncing so he can just open it at the same time, change it and we get conflict files. From his side it's working fine (I can see the .idlk file when he has the InDesign document open). I had a chat with technical support but the answer was that we use a different installation of Dropbox (standard vs macOS) somehow and the only way is to use a impractical workaround or reinstall (and resync) the whole Dropbox which is not an option at the moment.

I hope you can fix this or provide another way to collaborate with InDesign files.

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Comments

Jay

Hi @ClaireVerbeek, thanks for bringing this to our attention.

In general, it wouldn't be recommended to open any file, regardless of what program you're using, on two separate machines by two separate users, as it would lead to conflicted files when file is saved.

Is it not possible to close the file on one side, then open it on the other, so you work at alternate times?

Any details you can provide would be appreciated.

ClaireVerbeek

Yes, that is exactly what we want. But normally you can see that the other person has the file in use because there is a .idlk file next to the InDesign file (that is only there when somebody has it open). Because my .idlk file is not syncing he has no idea I have the file in use. We now are sending each other text messages saying we are working on it to prevent the other person from opening it all day long and it gets a little annoying. 😜

Jay

If the program is fully closed, the file should sync to the site, and then to their devices any other users. Does that file not sync at all, even when InDesign is closed?

ClaireVerbeek

The .idlk file is only present when the InDesign file is open, to prohibit another person from working on the same file at the same time. That's the whole purpose..

I've been through support with Dropbox and it's just a problem Dropbox for macOS seems to have.

Hannah

Hey @ClaireVerbeek, perhaps moving the file to a folder named "in use", each time someone is working on it, could be a workaround for this.

I hope it helps!

ClaireVerbeek

Yeah, that workaround was already offered. They also told me to put in a feature/bugfix request here, so I did 🙂

sb361

the problem is that the whole drobox is not syncing files because the idlk file is blocking the sync for everything.
its about time that dropbox adopts a better sync exlusion other than the option with the folder selection. git has .gitignore files for example, that define what paths and fileextentions should be excluded. i know this was suggested already 5 years ago but nothing happened since then.
Get better soon.