Open Data for Display and Publication Design
In a digital age where archival materials are increasingly taking the form of graphically rich documents, slide shows, and other multimedia content, the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) has issued guidelines for the long-term preservation of such files. This article focuses on Adobe InDesign Document files (CS through CS6 or unspecified versions).
NARA's digital preservation framework categorises these formats under NARA Format ID, NARA Linked Open Data TTL, Adobe Directordir, Adobe InDesign Document, and Broderbund The Print Shop. The specific NARA Format IDs for these formats include NF00678, NF00688, NF00103, NF00463, NF00464, NF00465, NF00466, NF00467, NF00648, and NF00713. These formats can be opened in any text editor, and their file extensions are .cst for Adobe Director, .indd or .indt for Adobe InDesign Document, and .let for Broderbund The Print Shop Letterhead.
While the search results do not provide direct information or specific guidelines from NARA regarding digital preservation for Adobe InDesign Document files, common archival practices for proprietary file formats like Adobe InDesign suggest some key principles.
NARA generally recommends converting proprietary formats to open, standardised, and more preservation-friendly formats for long-term accessibility. Exporting InDesign files to PDF/A (an ISO-standardized version of PDF for archiving) is a common recommendation. PDF/A ensures that documents remain readable and self-contained over time, regardless of software version changes.
For Adobe InDesign files themselves, it is advisable to retain original source files along with exported outputs but not to rely solely on the native files for future access. This is because these native files depend on proprietary software and version compatibility, which might become obsolete.
Along with preservation copies, detailed technical metadata such as software version, fonts used, and file dependencies should be documented to support future rendering or migration efforts. Using industry-recognised tools for conversion and validation is critical to ensuring accurate and sustainable digital preservation workflows.
In summary, NARA’s preservation guidelines for Adobe InDesign Document files typically involve retaining the original InDesign files as 'preservation masters' if possible, creating preservation copies in open archival formats such as PDF/A for long-term access, documenting file creation environment and dependencies thoroughly, and regularly monitoring file integrity and migrating formats as standards evolve.
For those seeking explicit policy texts or detailed technical instructions from NARA, it may be necessary to refer directly to NARA’s official preservation guidelines or contact their digital preservation office.
NARA's Linked Open Data TTL files for these formats are available at the following links: [URLs provided]. The Presentation and Publishing Preservation Plan can be used as test criteria for tools and processes used in format transformations.
Data-and-cloud-computing technologies can be utilized to store and manage the large volumes of various multimedia files prescribed by NARA's digital preservation framework, particularly Adobe InDesign Document files. Following NARA's recommendations, technology can aid in converting proprietary Adobe InDesign files to open and standardized formats like PDF/A, ensuring long-term accessibility and preservation.
