Where is product key for InDesign CS5 located in Mac Osx?

You can't find it there. The key is used when the apps are installed. The activation will write some nvisible code. If you want to use any Adobe software on a different computer you have to install it from the original installer (download or installer).

But you should be able to see the Adobe ID which was used when the program is running.

If you don't have saved such important information and if you are not able to reconstruct it, you are out of luck, you will have to buy it again.

Willi Adelberger wrote:

But you should be able to see the Adobe ID which was used when the program is running.

For CS5? Where?

I don't have it installed anymore, I thought it would be visible in the deactivate dialog. Maybe that I am wrong.

Not that I recall. Up to I think CS3 the s/n appeared in the activation dialog after a deactivate, but not with newer versions.

But this Serial was never complete, the last blocks were replaced with XXXX-XXXX which made it useless for further use, because the beginning was obvious anyway as the first part showed the 4-digit code for the program or the suite, the next block showed the OS and the next block showed the language range, so the individual part was always dismissed.

Do you still have the original proof of purchase (CS5 was released in April 2010)? E.g. check who you purchased the software through as well. Depending on the license type the supplier might even be able to assist with the S/N if they recorded it. Also if the serial number was registered against a company name, support might be able to retrieve this for you based on the domain name, but you'd need to at least have proof of purchase is my guess. (Generally they'd ask for a copy of the installer media as well to show that you have the original installer CDs/DVDs).

I'd definitely try contacting Adobe Customer Support:

http://helpx.adobe.com/contact.html

Let us know how you go.

Cari

No, for CS3 and earlier it is possible to recover the full S/N: http://indesignsecrets.com/help-ive-lost-my-serial-number.php

But this is different from the Activation Key used in newer versions: http://indesignsecrets.com/locating-your-indesign-serial-number.php

CS3 actually showed the entire serial number if you used the deactivate command. I don't remember which version forced you to use an Adobe ID.

In any event, without knowing that ID, the serial number, or some proof of purchase the OP is going to have a hard time.

airwreck86 wrote:

We have another indesign installed on a PC from which I can de activate and re activate on the mac. The graphics designer simply hates working from a PC

Not unless it's a CC subscription version. No perpetual license is cross-platform.

You’ll have to contact Adobe directly for that and request a cross platform upgrade, but you’ll have a problem there because you need the CS5 serial to be eligible for upgrade pricing.

The script in my second link above should get the serial number, just not the activation number.