Can't open corrupt InDesign document

[Kdownie]

I was nearly finished an InDesign document (not so long, only about 40pp). I was exporting it as a PDF to send it to a client, and InDesign crashed and I have since been unable to open the file. I have tried opening it on different computers and it crashes there too. I am unable to open it for long enough to convert it to IDML. I have deleted all of my preferences, cleaned my computer etc and still no luck. Does anyone have any solutions to this problem? I have read about a software called Stellar Phoenix InDesign repair. Does anyone have experience of this? Any help much appreciated as the deadline for this project is tomorrow!

Thanks

[Derek Cross]

You may have to go back to your last incremental back up. You did save incrementally named back-ups didn't you?

[Kdownie]

This would be literally the one time that I have only version of a document. Lesson learned.

[Derek Cross]

Yeah, we've all done it!

[BobLevine]

Have you tried opening a copy?

In the future, I would advise working in a Dropbox folder where versions are saved and you’d be able to roll back.

[Kdownie]

I did try opening a copy, but that also didn't work. I DO work from a Dropbox folder, but didn't know I could autosave versions there? I will look into that.

[BobLevine]

Wrote this several years ago. Should help you.

http://boblevine.us/why-i-always-save-files-in-dropbox-and-why-you-should-too/

[Kdownie]

This is super helpful! Thanks so much for this. So many more perks to Dropbox than I thought This will be my go to approach next time. Much appreciated.