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R
RaizelDesign
Inspiring
February 1, 2018
Question

Find a Specific Page Number to Apply Character Style

  • February 1, 2018
  • 2 replies
  • 1392 views

Hey all,

I'm working on a multiple page file of signs where the main feature is an over-sized number per page in a sequence. I have the master page set up that the number is the current page number, that way I don't have to manually insert the numbers and I can just add pages when I need more numbers. I need every number to be a different color and I have character styles set up. I figured out how to apply the style with a GREP for the digits, but inDesign apparently doesn't consider page numbers to be digits. I then applied it page number ~# but I want it to be different per each number (for example, 1 should be brown, 2 green, 3 red, etc.)

How do I find a specific page number?

Thanks!

This topic has been closed for replies.

2 replies

vinny38
vinny38
Legend
February 2, 2018

Alternatively, you could use a visual trick based on transparency.

Apply [paper] to your numbers text frame fill and [black] to the text.

Then, in your pages, create a colored frame that you place over the page number. Set this frame blend color to screen.

Now... This trick will work only if you change your Transparency Blend Space to RGB.

Meaning that if you want to send your file to a printer, you must be careful with the PDF output.

See example:

R
RaizelDesignAuthor
Inspiring
February 2, 2018

Thanks. That's an interesting idea. This particular project is for print, but maybe I'll try this one day.

Dave Creamer of IDEAS
Community Expert
Dave Creamer of IDEASCommunity Expert
Community Expert
February 2, 2018

How many colors do you have? Do the pages cycle through the colors (brown, green, red, brown, green, red, etc.)?

David Creamer: Community Expert (ACI and ACE 1995-2023)
R
RaizelDesignAuthor
Inspiring
February 2, 2018

18 - and no, each number has to be a different color. I ended up applying the styles manually, but I'm still curious if there's a GREP for a particular page number.

vinny38
vinny38
Legend
February 2, 2018

Page numbers are variables and grep can not format variables parts (since they are considered as single "characters").

You can vote for feature request here:

Grep style formatting for variables – Adobe InDesign Feedback

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