Inspiring

Question

Parent versus Master

Forum|Forum|4 years ago
January 22, 2022
3 replies
1946 views

I have noticed that InDesign now uses Parent pages whereas in the past, they used Master pages. The process of adding page numbers to either Master or Parent remains the same.

I have a previously created document that uses Master pages and the term still shows on the document, but I am unable to add a page number using: Create a Text Box and from there, Type, Insert Special Character, Marker and Current Page number.

If I create a new document, Parent now shows and I process as mentioned above: Create a Text Box and from there, Type, Insert Special Character, Marker and Current Page number the page number is added.

So it seems my issue is the previously created document that shows Master, is the issue? Can anyone explain why this is happening and how I can continue to paginate an older "Master" document?

Performance

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Barb Binder

Community Expert

Hi @Heirloom Bob:

It pertains to your formatting—but we can't see it so it is hard to be specific. I can tell you that the page number fits within a .5 in x .5 in text frame in a new default document when I just tried it. I'm happy to look at the file if you would like to share it so that I can give you a specific answer.

~Barb

~Barb at Rocky Mountain Training

Colin Flashman

Community Expert

As stated by elsewhere, this was a change of nomenclature only as part of the InDesign 2022 release. Adobe has a statement here: https://community.adobe.com/t5/indesign-discussions/why-have-master-pages-in-indesign-been-renamed-to-parent-pages/td-p/12482637

That said, it isn't updated in the "fixed" features of Adobe's Uservoice (which is where users can add bug reports/software improvements or suggestions) - https://indesign.uservoice.com/forums/601021-adobe-indesign-feature-requests/suggestions/41270401-rename-master-pages-to-parent-pages

Ultimately, parent pages/master pages are the same thing, only the name changes. If you're having difficulty with the contextual menu information, the keyboard shortcut for add page number is shift+option+command+n

If the answer wasn't in my post, perhaps it might be on my blog at colecandoo!

Heirloom BobAuthor

Inspiring

Thank you both for your comments. On further investigation, I have found that I can create a text box, say for example 1/2" square. I can then follow the process of creating a page number. The page number is in fact being inserted but I have to greatly widen the text box that contains it, in order to see it. As large as 3" wide. No change in height required to see the page number.

What would prevent a page number from appearing until I do this step?

After inserting the page number, my 1/2" square text box shows the red outlined box with the red +, indicating the too much text or text font to large to fit the box, but there is nothing more in the text box except the small page number.

I suspect there is something obvious that I am overlooking?

Bob

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

Two things, both pretty basic.

First, you can't put any elements on any ID page, ~~Master~~ Parent or live, without a frame to hold them. If you were trying to place a page number on a page without creating a text box... won't work.

Second, it sounds as if the paragraph style spacing is pushing the text number out of a small text frame. Check the style applied and its spacing, and (I suspect) you may find the left or top spacing is unnecessarily large, forcing you to expand the box to see the number.

FWIW, I rarely put page numbers in any kind of small frame, but usually a column(s)-width frame at top or bottom, even if I don't include other header or footer info. Leaves room for "more" later if needed. 🙂 If you need the page number centered or right, use (preferably) tabs or text alignment to put it there.

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

The change was entirely one of internal nomenclature, not of any features. You should be able to manipulate Parent pages just as you did Master pages. If you can't, try the cleanup of exporting to IDML and re-opening the document. Whether the bug is related to the name change or some other minor corruption of the file, that should fix it.

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