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IDML INDT
File conversion

Convert IDML to INDT

Verified by Adam B.· reviewed by FE Editorial ·updated Jul 19, 2026
QUICK ANSWER
Is it possible to convert IDML to INDT?
Yes - IDML converts to INDT.

Open the .idml in Adobe InDesign via File > Open, verify the layout and fonts, then go to File > Save As and select InDesign Template from the format dropdown. The result is an .indt file that opens a fresh unnamed copy each time, preventing accidental overwrites of the master.

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Tested on macOS, Windows & Linux
Last verified Oct 2026

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Why convert IDML to INDT?

IDML is an interchange format for moving InDesign layouts between versions or applications. An .indt file is an InDesign template - structurally identical to .indd but with a flag that opens a fresh unnamed copy each time rather than editing the original. Converting IDML to INDT is useful when a layout will be reused repeatedly and you want to protect the master file from accidental edits.

How to convert IDML to INDT

Adobe InDesign EASIEST

Go to File > Open and select the .idml file, then go to File > Save As and choose InDesign Template from the format dropdown - InDesign saves an .indt file with no intermediate steps.

Programs that convert IDML

Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign for Mac

About these formats

.IDML Adobe InDesign Markup Language

An IDML file is an Adobe InDesign page layout saved in InDesign Markup Language, an open XML-based interchange format introduced in 2008. Open it in Adobe InDesign (File → Open, then save…

Open .IDML details →
.INDT Adobe InDesign Template

An INDT file is an Adobe InDesign template - a pre-designed page layout (brochure, newsletter, business card) that opens ready to fill in without overwriting the original. Opening it fully…

Open .INDT details →

Quality & what to watch

  • INDT is a proprietary binary format identical in structure to .indd - no other application produces a valid .indt file; Affinity Publisher and Scribus import IDML but save in their own formats.
  • Linked images and fonts are not embedded in the .indt; when distributing the template, recipients need the same fonts installed and linked graphics may need to be repackaged separately.
  • IDML round-trips are generally reliable, but some advanced features (certain effects, overprint settings, complex table styles) may shift slightly - review the document before saving as a template.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between .indd and .indt?
The file structure is identical - the only difference is a flag in the file header that tells InDesign to open a copy of .indt rather than the original, preventing accidental overwrites.
Can I convert IDML to INDT without a Creative Cloud subscription?
No - the Save As > InDesign Template option exists only in Adobe InDesign; no other application produces a native .indt file.
Does saving as INDT lose any data compared to INDD?
No data is lost - INDT and INDD use the same file structure, and the conversion from IDML to INDT goes through the same InDesign round-trip as IDML to INDD.