Left running header not working

[bufossil]

We are using FrameMaker 12 (unstructured) on a Windows 7 platform.

I have created a book whose structure looks like this:

Book

_____Cover

_____TOC

_____Chapter 1

_____Chapter 2

_____Etc. chapter

We are trying to use the standard left and right running headers.

The left header = Running H/F 1 = <$paratext[Title]> = Title in the "Cover" file of the book.

The right header = Running H/F 2 = <$paratext[Heading 1]> = The chapter name in each "Chapter" file in the book.

The right running header populates properly. The left running header is empty.

This is what I have tried to troubleshoot:

• Verified that the title of the book in the cover file is set to a "Title" paragraph tag. (It is.)
• Saved each file/chapter and updated the book.
• Tried to force the even page header manually using Format > Page Layout > Master Page Usage, but it doesn't stick.

The configuration on the Master Page Usage window is the same for even or odd pages:

• Use Master Page = Right/Left is selected.
• Apply To = Current Page # is selected, and Even and Odd are both selected.

There is probably something simple I do not understand. Can anyone assist?

Thank you in advance,

Tim

[Bob_Niland]

In a component file lacking the desired left header, what have you for:

Format > Page Layout > Pagination

(?) Single Sided

(?) Double Sided

Are your Left Master Pages named exactly "Left"?

(and oh by the way, you won't even be able to navigate to MP "Left" if Pagination is (*) Single.

[bufossil]

Thank you for the quick response!

I just checked, and the pagination was already set to Double Sided.

And yes, the left master page is named exactly "Left."

Thank you again, but it looks like I am looking for something else.

[Bob_Niland]

In an offending file, what have you on:
View > Reference Pages

page: MasterPageMaps

And if it doesn't exist, that means you've never run:

Format > Page Layout > Apply Master Pages

(which creates that page, and on subsequent invocations, applies any specified mapping)

The UnstructMasterPageMaps table needs to be populated with the MP assignments you desire.

In any case, on fail left pages, what says:

Format > Page Layout > Master Page Usage

[bufossil]

I am not very familiar with Reference pages, but let me respond to your two questions.

The "UnstructMasterPageMaps" table on the "MasterPageMaps" page has the header row in the table, and one totally empty row under that.  But remember, the right page header is working fine, and even the "front" page (which has no header) is also working fine.

What should be in that table?

Your second question about Master Page Usage I answered in my original post.  Both the right and left page are set to "Right/Left." Even if I manually attempt to set the left page to "Custom: Left," that selection is not retained. After I click Apply, I can immediately check Master Page usage again and it reverts back to "Right/Left."

The right hand page does the same thing, but the header works anyway.

Thanks again for your assistance.