I need 2 pages added to a Book that aren't part of the page numbering sequence.

[lthake]

I have a book project, at 316 pages. It's an autobiography. There are 2 distinct sections with a break in the middle. I didn't add the “blank pages” in the middle, and everything has been indexed. The indexer did a magnificant job, and I hate to ruin it, or manually have to change each entry. How can I add 2 blank pages at the beginning of Section 2, without throwing all the following page numbers off? I am using InDesign 20.0, and have set up an indb file. Thanks!

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

You can add in two pages and just section the pages in the book file.

For example:

Pages 1-199 number normally.

Add you 2-page spread and set first page numbering to A.

The first left page after the new spread is set to start at page 200.,

[lthake]

I'm not sure I understand. 

My first “chapter” is numbered 1-198.

Should I set up a separate InDesign document of only 2 pages, with no page numbers? 

Adding that 2 page document to the indb file?

Then my second “chapter” is numbered 199-314.

This would give me 316 total pages, which works for the printers signature layout.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

That depends on how you set up your document(s).

Are the chapters in a single file or are they aready broken up? 

Let me know, ideally with screen captures, and I can give you more precise info.

Either way, you would have to section the page numbers to make sure the page numbers stay as you want them.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

Just add two blank pages to the end. Or let your printer manage this when they impose the book for printing.

Are we to understand your indexer did a static list, keyed to the print page numbering? That's... not an efficient path for indexing.

I am also not sure why you chose to do a relatively small all- or mostly-text book using separate files and a Book structure. It just adds complexity and project overhead management that's not needed. Can you simply merge the two files into one, drop the Book, and preserve the existing page numbering?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Not necessary. 

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS · Accepted solution]

Here is the process if the 316 pages are in one file:

Here is using a multi-chapter book file:

(It doesn't matter if there are more chapters, just section the document on an even/left-hand page.)

[lthake]

Thank you! The second version, creating a separate file of 2 pages and setting the numbers to A, B, C, makes the most sense and is the least disruptive. Thank you for that solution.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I would still be curious as to how you ended up with this odd... disconnection between your two book files.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@lthake

Can you show your index? Maybe "shifting" can be automated? 

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I think a useful answer would be found if you are more clear about what you want to accomplish, rather than trying to do a specific task that may not be what's needed to get to that end.

[Eugene Tyson · Accepted solution]

As explained already, your page numbers won't change if you set them up as sections and choose to start the page numbering at what it's already at.

https://helpx.adobe.com/ie/indesign/using/numbering-pages-chapters-sections.html#:~:text=Click%C2%A0...

As long as the page numbers stay the same it won't be an issue.

Or as already suggested chat with your print provider who can do it at imposition and not mess up the numbering.