Prepare INDD for Affinity Publisher
INDD2IDML reconstructs an InDesign document as IDML. Open that IDML in Affinity Publisher, then inspect pages, text, fonts, graphics and effects before continuing.
Give old layouts another way forward.
Reconstruct INDD, INDT, INDB, PDF, and packages locally as IDML. Link fonts and graphics later. No subscription—one-time purchase.
Mac App Store
Move InDesign layouts into the Affinity Publisher app using the IDML format
INDD2IDML creates an IDML intermediate file from the strongest material available. That gives old InDesign documents a practical route into Affinity Publisher and other IDML-compatible layout software without promising a perfect reconstruction.
Convert INDD to IDML locally on your Mac
Conversion runs locally without launching Adobe InDesign or uploading the source. Packages, matching PDFs, fonts and linked graphics can improve the starting material.
Continue in other IDML-compatible layout apps
IDML is the output—not .afpub, .afdesign or a universal format. Depending on the document and target application, it may also be opened in Adobe InDesign, QuarkXPress, VivaDesigner or Scribus and must always be checked.
Processing and Result
Manual- 01
Supported Inputs
Supported formats include INDD and INDT documents, INDB books, valid IDML files, PDF files, ZIP packages, and InDesign package folders.
- 02
Create the best starting point
The most accurate reconstruction is achieved with a complete InDesign package: INDD or INDT, an original IDML file with the same name (if possible), or a PDF export of the same document version, along with all linked graphics and the font files used.
- 03
Understanding Output Quality
“Validated Original IDML” is the best source and remains unchanged.
- 04
Review results
Open the IDML directly or view it in the Finder.
Completely local
Examine INDD and INDT documents entirely locally and without Adobe software; original files are read only.
Original files remain unchanged
INDD2IDML reads only approved original files and operates entirely locally. Each document receives a new, uniquely named output folder in the selected output folder; existing files and previous results are not overwritten.
Convert InDesign documents locally to editable IDML
macOS · IDML
Capabilities and Limitations
Here’s what the app can do
- Examine INDD and INDT documents entirely locally and without Adobe software; original files are read only.
- Divide InDesign book files and book folders into their accessible chapters and process them as batches.
- Carefully check existing IDML files and import them unchanged as the best possible editable source.
- Automatically process unique InDesign package folders and ZIP packages; original IDML, PDF, and linked resources are used preferentially.
- Reconstruct recognized pages, editable text, frames, vector elements, and supported linked graphics as IDML.
The app cannot guarantee this
- This does not guarantee a pixel-perfect or completely identical rendering of every InDesign document.
- Do not generate missing fonts or graphics. Original resources that are not provided can only be marked or preserved visually via a PDF reference.
- Do not convert InDesign 1.0/1.5 legacy containers or INDL libraries. An existing IDML or PDF file can serve as an alternative fallback.
- No native .afpub or .afdesign file. The result is IDML and is primarily intended for Affinity Publisher.
- If only PDF is converted, all page content remains part of the linked PDF and cannot be edited individually.
Verified compatibility status
Automated public format samples from InDesign 2.0 through InDesign 2026 (21.0) generate valid IDML outputs.
A newer, more complex document from InDesign 21.2 is also covered.
These tests demonstrate the respective reading and recovery paths, not the complete reconstruction of every production document or later, as-yet-untested subversions.
INDD2IDML Manual
Convert InDesign documents locally to editable IDML