When using Studio for InDesign and InCopy, you are working on files that are stored in a central database. To access this database you need to log in to the version of Studio Server in which the files are stored.
By logging in, the system will also grant and deny you access to files and features of Studio for InDesign and InCopy, as well as InDesign and InCopy itself.
Logging in
The process for logging in depends on how Studio Server is configured: with or without Single Sign-On (SSO) implemented.
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Note: Single sign-on is a process that automatically logs you in to an application or system by using credentials that you entered when logging in once to an authentication provider that manages your user credentials. Once logged in to that authentication provider, each subsequent log-in to an application that is connected to that provider (such as Studio for InDesign and InCopy) is automatically handled by that system. This drastically reduces the number of times you manually have to log in on a daily basis. |
The dialog box that is used for logging in to Studio Server appears automatically when starting up InDesign. It can also be accessed by choosing WoodWing Studio > Log In...
You will be guided through the process by various messages that appear on screen. Follow the steps until the process is completed.
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Notes: When logging in to Studio Server with SSO support:
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Troubleshooting login issues
If you are unable to complete the SSO login flow or if the browser cannot pass the session token back to Studio for InDesign or InCopy, review the points below.
macOS: Studio IDP Helper, permissions, and SSO return
- When logging in for the first time, macOS may prompt you to allow the WoodWing Studio IDP application to control Finder and Adobe InDesign. Click OK for both prompts.
- If these prompts are dismissed without granting access, SSO login will fail. To resolve this, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Automation and enable access for the Studio IDP application (and any other related WoodWing applications).
- Confirm that Rosetta is installed when using Apple Silicon devices. This remains required until the native IDP helper becomes available with Studio for InDesign and InCopy for Adobe 2026.
- Verify that the WoodWing Studio IDP application is running. In supported environments, it starts automatically. If it does not launch, start it manually from the Applications folder to complete authentication.
Note: Unsupported macOS versions may prevent the IDP helper from auto-starting. While manual startup may appear to work, these OS and Adobe combinations are not validated by WoodWing and stability cannot be guaranteed.
Windows: browser redirect or SSL issues
- Ensure the SSL configuration in the WWSettings.xml file is correct, including the explicit local file path to cacert.pem. This file must reside on the local machine. Authentication may fail if it is located in a cloud-synced folder (for example, a OneDrive .noindex directory).
- Check antivirus or endpoint protection tools. Solutions such as Avast or Windows Defender can block the hand-off between the browser and the Studio for InDesign and InCopy plug-ins. Adjusting or temporarily disabling specific protection processes may be required for the login to complete.
- Confirm that JavaScript is enabled in the browser’s site settings. If JavaScript is disabled, Chrome may not be able to return control to InDesign or InCopy during authentication.
Revisions
- 26 November 2025: Added section 'Troubleshooting login issues'.
Comment
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2 comments
Please note that if you happen to dismiss this without granting access, you will not be able to log in via SSO. To resolve the issue you will need allow access via the OS Security & Privacy settings and allow the Studio IDP (and other WoodWing applications) access:
Hi Toni, could you please update this tutorial for the latest MacOS version, I couldn't get SSO to work
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