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Inspiring
January 20, 2020
Answered

Can a book skip a file for page numbering?

  • January 20, 2020
  • 3 replies
  • 916 views

I'd like to be have the page numbering skip a file in a book, for example, so that the page numbering in file 3 continues from the last page in file 1. I know that sounds odd, but I can't rearrange the files because I need the paragraph numbering to be continuous through all three files in that order.

 

Can this be done?

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Lynne A. Price

Kate,

    I think you can get what you want with two books: one to use for setting page numbers and the other to actually publish:

 

1. Put all files except chapter 2 in the first book and set the page numbers to Continue from Previous Page in Book.

2. Put all files including chapter 2 in the second book and set the page numbers to Read from File and the paragraph nunbers to Continue Numbering.

 

When you want to update, update the first book first which will set the page numbers. Then update the second book which will update everything else but leave page numbers alone.

 

--Lynne

 

3 replies

Lynne A. PriceCorrect answer
Inspiring
January 21, 2020

Kate,

    I think you can get what you want with two books: one to use for setting page numbers and the other to actually publish:

 

1. Put all files except chapter 2 in the first book and set the page numbers to Continue from Previous Page in Book.

2. Put all files including chapter 2 in the second book and set the page numbers to Read from File and the paragraph nunbers to Continue Numbering.

 

When you want to update, update the first book first which will set the page numbers. Then update the second book which will update everything else but leave page numbers alone.

 

--Lynne

 

KateK-475Author
Inspiring
January 21, 2020

Thanks, Lynne!

This works for me.

 

Barb Binder
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 20, 2020

Assuming that file2 in is the book list, then I would manually set file3 to pick up numbering where file1 leaves off. For example, if file1 ends on page 28, right click file3 > Numbering > Page and set First Page to 29. 

 

Let file4–infinity Continue Numbering from Previous Page in Book. You will need to manually check (and update) this number after updates. 

 

 

~Barb 

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training
KateK-475Author
Inspiring
January 21, 2020

Hi Barb,

This workaround will do for my current document, but I had hoped for a more automated solution, which it seems @Lynne has provided below.

Thanks!

Bob_Niland
Community Expert
Community Expert
January 20, 2020

Is File2 present or not?

 

You can almost certainly do what you want, but the how-to needs some clarification of context.