What is a .IDML file?
IDML is InDesign’s XML-based interchange format, used to move layouts between versions. Created by Adobe InDesign.
- Did you know
- IDML is Adobe InDesign’s interchange format, which replaced the older INX around 2008.
- Unpacking an IDML file reveals a directory of XML parts compressed with ZIP, describing the document much as DOCX does for Word.
- Because IDML is plain XML, it is how automated publishing systems build InDesign layouts without InDesign itself, and the only way to open a newer document in an older version of the app.
- Under the hood a .IDML file is really a ZIP archive - rename it to .zip and you can browse the files inside.
- What Analyser reads
- Identify Adobe project files and read their metadata: InDesign (INDD), XD, Animate (FLA), and Lightroom. After Effects projects (AEP, AET), Premiere Pro and Elements (PRPROJ, PREL), Photoshop (PSD, PSB) and Illustrator (AI) now open in full viewers - see After Effects, Premiere Pro, Photoshop and Illustrator.
- Depth of analysis
- .IDML is an identification-grade format: Analyser recognises it from its bytes and decodes the header metadata it carries, rather than opening it in a full viewer. Formats that do get a full viewer are marked "Full" on the formats page.
- Open a .IDML file
- Drag a .IDML file onto the Analyser home page (or tap to pick one). It is identified entirely in your browser - nothing is uploaded, there is no account, and it works offline once installed.