How to add page numbers that alternate between left and right without spreads/facing pages?

Question

I know how to add auto-page numbering that alternate between left and right for spreads/facing pages, but I can't seem to find a way to accomplish this with non-facing pages. The reason I want to do it with non-facing pages, is this: whne working with spreads, when I need to add a page in the middle of my book, Indesign then bumps all my pages to the other side of the spread causing the bleeds to be off and create a layout mess. So I am looking for a way to have alternating pages that is easy to do with a very large page count, that also allows me to easily add pages in the middle of the document without a ton of busy work.

hammer0909 · Accepted Answer

The screenshot isn't my actual document, just trying to illustrate the problem I am having. The issue I have with having to reapply a parent page, is if I add a page after page 4 of a 100 page document, then I have to reapply a parent page or adjust my design on 96 pages. Is that what you are suggesting? Or am i just not understanding something? By the way, I really appreciate the help and feedback. thank you!

I've created a video in InDesign to show how this should work. I hope this helps. https://1drv.ms/v/s!AsOY4oj7seXTk54rLIkhf_DGdqoOhQ?e=baCdyd

hammer0909 · Answer

Well the problem is that if you are not using facing pages, then you don't have left and right pages. You could do it by creating two parent pages, one with the page number on the left and one with the page number on the right, then apply the left parent page to every other page starting with page 1 and then apply the right parent page to every other page starting on page two.

Sign up

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Sign in to Adobe Community

To post, reply, or follow discussions, please sign in with your Adobe ID.

Scanning file for viruses.

This file cannot be downloaded