.ICMA File Extension

An ICMA file is an assignment file used by InCopy, a word processor that integrates with Adobe InDesign. It contains links to a subset of an InDesign parent document (.INDD file), as well as editing permissions for a specific user. ICMA files are used to assign a portion of a document to an editor.

ICMA files are created using InDesign and then assigned to a specific editor, who has permission to edit the content using InCopy. Once finished, the editor notifies the sender. This assignment-based workflow has several benefits:

1. Separating the page layout workflow from the content development workflow.
2. Splitting editing tasks between multiple editors.
3. Preventing unwanted access to protected page content, such as the master layout.
4. Reducing the file and project size sent to editors.
5. Enabling a check-in/check-out system so that only one editor can access designated page content at a time.
6. Tracking the workers that have modified the document.

ICMA files are exported with one or more .ICML files, which contain the text, graphics, and frames that can be modified. When users "edit" an ICMA assignment file, they are actually modifying ICML files behind the scenes. IMCL files are typically stored and accessed on a network fileserver.

NOTE: ICMA files replaced .INCA files in InDesign and InCopy CS4 and later.