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tonydesign0
tonydesign0
Participant
October 15, 2022
Answered

Automatic page numbering

  • October 15, 2022
  • 3 replies
  • 1136 views

This should be fairly simple to fix, but apparently it isn't. I have a document with a cover, a spread with a foreward on the left, and a table of contents on the right. I do not want page numbers to show up on the first three pages, and I've figured that out myself. What I want is on the fourth page for page numbers start to show up, but starting at the numeral 1. Indesign is still taking into account the first three pages and starting the page numbering at on the fourth page at page "4". I have searched and searched on the internet to get the answer to this and keep getting the same answer, which answers the question of how to have page numbers not show up on the first several pages. This is not the question I'm asking. Anybody understand what I'm trying to do? All books I've ever read have page one being labelled several pages in from the cover!

      This topic has been closed for replies.
      Correct answer Willi Adelberger

      I would strongly recommend to start with a right page as page 1.

      1. Open the page panel.
      2. Click on the thumbnail of the page you wnt to have page 1
      3. If you still insist that a left page is page 1 deactivate from the Page Panel Menu "Allow selected Spread to shuffle"
      4. Again Page Panel Menu > "Numbering & Section Options…"
      5. Set start as 1
      6. Now you have to solve the problem tha you have page 1 twice. Above the first thumbnail is a triangle, click twice and select a different numbering system.

      The small triangle is a section starter indicator.

      3 replies

      Willi Adelberger
      Community Expert
      Willi AdelbergerCommunity ExpertCorrect answer
      Community Expert
      October 15, 2022

      I would strongly recommend to start with a right page as page 1.

      1. Open the page panel.
      2. Click on the thumbnail of the page you wnt to have page 1
      3. If you still insist that a left page is page 1 deactivate from the Page Panel Menu "Allow selected Spread to shuffle"
      4. Again Page Panel Menu > "Numbering & Section Options…"
      5. Set start as 1
      6. Now you have to solve the problem tha you have page 1 twice. Above the first thumbnail is a triangle, click twice and select a different numbering system.

      The small triangle is a section starter indicator.

        tonydesign0
        tonydesign0Author
        Participant
        October 16, 2022

        I don't bloody believe it. I followed your instructions and in under 90 seconds I got what I wanted. You actually understood what I was asking and responded with clear instructions. If you are not a teacher or professor by trade you should be. Hats off to you sir! Unfortunately, I need the left hand pages to be odd because this is a large-format manual of the history of art and architecture, and I can't have the spread and its illustrations split down the middle. In essence each spread is one page, though it will fold down the middle when in book form. What you told me to do seems to work, so fingers crossed. Again, I am very grateful for your quick and clear response!

        Dave Creamer of IDEAS
        Community Expert
        Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        October 15, 2022

        Then you right-click on the page you want to start a new page number on and select numbering options. Start the numbering where you want it. 

        A couple of notes...

        • By default, left-hand pages are even and right-hand pages are odd. So if you make page 4 start at page one, it should shift to a right-hand page.
        • InDesign will warn you that you have two page number 1's; Set the first cover to start at a different numbering scheme (I usually use Alpha). 
        • Use multiple parent/master pages--some with and some without the page number marker.

         

        David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
          kglad
          Community Expert
          kgladCommunity Expert
          Community Expert
          October 15, 2022

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