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K
Kent Broyhill
Participant
February 11, 2019
Answered

Page numbering - 2 pages numbered as 1

  • February 11, 2019
  • 3 replies
  • 1914 views

Hello

I have a document which is double sided, with 1,000 pages (2,000 "sides"). I would like the numbering on one side only and have it be consecutive.

Currently, it's showing on just the one side, as that's how I have it set up in the Master; however, it's counting the reverse side as a page as well so it's only displaying every-other page number.

What I'm trying to do is display each individual number consecutively on every other page (front side).

Is there a way to tell InDesign to "skip" every other page and only count (for example) odd pages?

Thank you for any help!

This topic has been closed for replies.
Correct answer Kent Broyhill

The two sides of a duplex file count as 2 pages, so yes, you wish to "only" number the odd pages.. (albeit in a fashion that defers from the normal numbering scheme). The script I supplied does exactly that...

Scripting wise, on a PC, you must use JAVASCRIPT. Sorry, my solution is built on Applescript (which I have been using for 20+ years) and while I do know Javascript, it is still a "second" language to me.

HTH


Okay I solved the issue using Data Merge (I've never used it before which is why I was making this more difficult than it needed to be!).

I simply set up the file, created a .csv with a consecutively numbered column and imported that on the *odd* pages, leaving the even pages un-numbered.

Note: InDesign wasn't recognizing the .csv first because I still had it opened in Excel. I had to close the file and then re-select it as the Data Source.

Hope this helps someone else!

Thanks for everyone's contribution.

3 replies

maxwithdax
Community Expert
maxwithdaxCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 11, 2019

After some digging, I found the solution (that Rob created) because as almost always is the case, you are not the only one to ever ask.

Numbering only the odd pages…

Waiting for Amazing scripter rob day​ to save the day.

Bill Silbert
Community Expert
Bill SilbertCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 11, 2019

Unfortunately, the only way to do this is far too time consuming and that is to make every page a section start and assign a specific start page number in the Numbering and Section Options dialog (found through the Pages Panel pull-down menu). Of course if you have to move any pages or insert new ones all of your work goes out the window.

Michel Lemieux
Michel Lemieux
Inspiring
February 11, 2019

Hi,

Unfortunately, InDesign does not do that natively, so you will have to either:

  • Number your pages manually (argh! 1000 pages)
  • Have a script to number your odd pages for you.

HTH

Michel

K
Kent BroyhillAuthor
Participant
February 11, 2019

Hi Michel

Thanks for the feedback. Do you know, is this possible with Data Merge?

Michel Lemieux
Michel Lemieux
Inspiring
February 11, 2019

No I don't think Data Merge could help you there...

Your simplest solution really is to use a script.

Are you on a Mac or PC?

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