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mitchyll_7100
Participant
February 25, 2026
Question

Automatic page numbering is showing hidden template pages

  • February 25, 2026
  • 1 reply
  • 24 views

Hello, I am trying to use the automatic page numbering for my adobe PDF document but it keeps counting the hidden templates. There are 5 total templates, 1 being the main template and the other 4 are hidden that are spawned when a button is clicked on the main template. The page number is showing as ‘Page 1 of 5’ on the main template although the others are hidden. How can I stop Adobe from counting those hidden templates? Or is there a workaround I can do? Thank you!

    1 reply

    T
    Tariq Dar
    Legend
    February 26, 2026

    Hi ​@mitchyll_7100 , 

     

    Great question. I can understand why that would be confusing.

     

    My understanding is that, in Acrobat, template pages are still physically part of the PDF file, even if they’re hidden and only appear when triggered. Automatic page numbering looks at the total number of pages in the document structure — not whether pages are visible or spawned — which is why it shows “Page 1 of 5.”

     

    Unfortunately, there isn’t a built-in way to exclude hidden templates from automatic page numbering. If you need the count to reflect only visible pages, the usual approach is either to move templates into a separate PDF and import them dynamically or to use JavaScript-based page numbering so you can control what gets counted.

     

    I know that’s not always the answer people hope for, but hopefully this helps clarify why it’s happening and what your options are. 

    Wait for additional input from the experts in the community.

     

    ~Tariq

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