Two files with uneditable parts, is it possible to merge them?

Question

Newbie to InDesign here, I was given two files for my work: a path version and a non-path version file, as shown in the picture. Here's the problem:

How do I go about solving this as I want to edit both in one file? Is there a way to combine both files together somehow?

Why can't you edit the opposite parts? I mean, if it's just some locked layers, you can simply unlock the layers. — Scott, Feb 18 at 2:44
I am not sure either. Have checked, the layers aren't lock though! — Johnny TYH, Feb 18 at 2:51
Well, there's no way to "merge" specific parts of two separate InDesign files I'm aware of. But there's also no way to prevent editing of objects in an InDesign file if you have (at least the same version of) InDesign. If objects are un-selectable, they must be merely locked or on master pages. — Scott, Feb 18 at 2:54
Even if the layers aren’t locked, individual objects may be. Or, as Scott says, the objects may be on parent pages (called master pages up until recent versions). — Janus Bahs Jacquet, Feb 18 at 8:25
.. another thought.... Check the Preferences for Indesign, the "General" section has an option - Prevent Selection of Locked Objects - or something like that. This option is on by default I believe. That could be why you can't edit things. — Scott, Feb 19 at 6:21

Lucian · Accepted Answer · 2022-02-19 12:23:37Z

1

There is no such thing as an InDesign file where you cannot make edits on specific elements.

100% everything is editable, but there are indeed a few ways to lock layers or lock objects, to limit editing.

If you are sure the layers and not locked, try to see what happens when you hit CTRL+ALT+L on a page where this problem exists.

Otherwise, do some research on unlocking layers and unlocking objects and you'll probably figure this out:

answered Feb 19 at 12:18

Lucian

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also, if they are master-page items, then one can "override all master page items" (right-click the page(s)) in the pages palette to make them selectable
– Yorik
Feb 22 at 17:45

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