InDesign is selecting the wrong page in page display

[Thomas_Calvin]

I wonder how much time this bug has wasted.

I noticed that when changing section-specific info in the Layout / Number & Section Options menu, sometimes it would produce totally unexpected results and screw up multiple sections and page layout.

It turns out that this is because pages are inexplicably selected in the Pages tab, unrelated to where the insertion point resides. Sometimes two pages are selected at once in that pane, other times only one... but frequently the selected one(s) is wrong. I didn't select it, and it doesn't reflect the page on which I'm working.

Further experimentation shows that it usually selects both pages of a spread, instead of the one you put the insertion point on. That is a major PITA; if you click on the right page thinking you're going to start a new section, InDesign will instead start the section with the left page, messing things up.

With the insertion point sitting in text, I expect any changes made to the section or chapter options to affect the section in which I'm working; not in some arbitrarily (and automatically) highlighted thumbnail in a disconnected pane.

[Thomas_Calvin]

Thanks! I'll check that out. I've had some success creating a book and syncing styles and parent pages across the documents.

[Mike Witherell]

Here is the too-subtle language from the helpx files:

Target or select a page or spread

You either select or target pages or spreads, depending on the task you are performing. Some commands affect the currently selected page or spread, while others affect the target page or spread. For example, you can drag ruler guides only to the target page or spread, but page-related commands, such as Duplicate Spread or Delete Page, affect the page or spread selected in the Pages panel. Targeting makes a page or spread active and is helpful when, for example, several spreads are visible in the document window and you want to paste an object onto a specific spread.

1. In the Pages panel: To both target and select a page or spread, double-click its icon or the page numbers under the icon. If the page or spread is not visible in the document window, it shifts into view.

• Tip: You can also both target and select a page or spread by clicking a page, any object on the page, or its pasteboard in the document window.

  The vertical ruler is dimmed alongside all but the targeted page or spread.

• To select a page, click its icon. (Don’t double-click unless you want to select it and move it into view.)

• To select a spread, click the page numbers under the spread icon.

Note:  Some spread options, such as those in the Pages panel menu, are available only when an entire spread is selected.

[My thought: notice it does not mention about clicking a Type tool into text. That is why my practice is to get out of the Type tool in favor of the Selection tool anytime I want to administer things done to pages in the Pages panel.]

[Thomas_Calvin]

Thanks for that reference, Mike.

And indeed it's significant that it doesn't mention clicking a Type tool into text. Its omission supports my claim that nothing would break if the auto-selection behavior were fixed to select only the one page upon which the user is working. At any time (just like now), the user can make selections in the Pages pane and perform the actions described above. Upon return to the editing pane, the selection in the Pages pane would adjust accordingly (as it does today, but erroneously).

[Barb Binder]

Great reference, @Mike Witherell and worth the re-read. 

@Thomas_Calvin Have you figured out yet that Sync Options is a better practice than Sync Book (because it forces you to consider what you are—and are not—syncing)?

~Barb

[Thomas_Calvin]

Doesn't Sync Options simply control what happens in Sync Book?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Doesn't Sync Options simply control what happens in Sync Book?

By @Thomas_Calvin

Yes, but you can sync from the Options panel but you can check your settings first, so it's best to use the Sync Options menu.

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Great reference, @Mike Witherell and worth the re-read. 

@Thomas_Calvin Have you figured out yet that Sync Options is a better practice than Sync Book (because it forces you to consider what you are—and are not—syncing)?

~Barb

By @Barb Binder

I ALWAYS go through Sync Options. Also recommend using what's called "pessimistic" settings--that is the settings of least damage. If I only updated the Character Styles, that's all I would sync, not everything all of the time. 

[Thomas_Calvin]

Then how do you ensure that all documents have everything the same in the end? Remembering every adjustment you made over a long period seems pretty unlikely. I always set the "style source" in the Book dialog to the document I'm working on, so as I go along and make refinements I can sync the whole book and keep everything up to date.

I wish there were a "continuous sync" option. I don't ever want styles or other characteristics to diverge in any of the documents in the book.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Thomas_Calvin

Unfortunately, InDesign, on its own, doesn't show "conflicts".

[Thomas_Calvin]

Exactly. Which is why I have all syncable characteristics enabled in Sync Settings all the time.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Exactly. Which is why I have all syncable characteristics enabled in Sync Settings all the time.

By @Thomas_Calvin

But then you risk syncing "too much"... 

[Thomas_Calvin]

Like what? I don't see anything in that options list that I don't want to be the same in all the documents in my book. That's much of the reason for having them in the book in the first place.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Like what?

By @Thomas_Calvin

You said that you're working on multiple files - then you would've to constantly switch "source document" to the current one?

And, if at any point, you'll forget to synchronise - you'll risk re-synchronising outdated settings. 

[Thomas_Calvin]

So? You have to switch "source document" to the current one regardless of which things you're syncing.

"if at any point, you'll forget to synchronise - you'll risk re-synchronising outdated settings."

Exactly, which is why there should be a "continuous sync" option. And again, this has nothing to do with which things are selected for syncing. I want all things synced all the time. How does de-selecting a bunch of stuff solve that problem?

Currently the only evident solution is to make the document you're working in the "sync source," and continually press the Sync button occasionally as you work.

[Frans v.d. Geest]

Bug? No bug, the difference between a single click (selection, for an action for example) and double clicking (navigating to, depending on where you double click, left, right, or under on the numers). Or simply use the pop up menu for pages in the left lower corner where the page number is also listed.

or use Cmnd (Ctrl on PC) J

Maybe follow some more classes or look here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0D5ePoHx9c

[Thomas_Calvin]

Thanks for the references. But this isn't about clicking in the Pages pane. The bug is what happens when you click in the editor.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

@Thomas_Calvin

But being in "text editing mode" has zero influence on the rest.

[Thomas_Calvin]

When you click on a page in the editor, the selection in the Pages pane changes. And it changes in a dysfunctional way.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

When you click on a page in the editor, the selection in the Pages pane changes. And it changes in a dysfunctional way.

By @Thomas_Calvin

But it depends on HOW you click - as @Frans v.d. Geest explained - one click does nothing.

And as I've explained - you can use right click and start section or drag&drop - and it still won't take you out of the editing. 

And even if you scroll - and no longer see the text you're editing - it's enough to just hit arrows - and InDesign will automatically go back there. 

[Thomas_Calvin]

It does not do nothing. It places your insertion point where you click. I think you're ignoring the fact that I'm talking about what happens when you click IN THE EDITING PANE. NOT IN THE PAGES PANE.

I'm done with this discussion. I've reported the defect, which will be ignored along with all the others.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

It does not do nothing. It places your insertion point where you click. I think you're ignoring the fact that I'm talking about what happens when you click IN THE EDITING PANE. NOT IN THE PAGES PANE.

By @Thomas_Calvin

There are no "editing panes"... 

When you have your cursor set to TEXT cursor - if the object you click is a TextFrame - you'll start editing this text. 

If you click on an empty Rectangle - it will automatically get converted to a TextFrame. 

If you click and drag - on an empty space - you'll start creating TextFrame. 

That's how things work in the InDesign. 

[Thomas_Calvin]

The editing pane is in the screen shot right there. It occupies most of the UI of the application.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

The editing pane is in the screen shot right there. It occupies most of the UI of the application.

By @Thomas_Calvin

I've never heard anyone using this kind of description about "main window" / "Document window". 

That's probably why all the confusion - on both sides. 

[Thomas_Calvin]

Probably, since that's not a window.

[Robert at ID-Tasker]

Probably, since that's not a window.

By @Thomas_Calvin

https://helpx.adobe.com/uk/indesign/using/workspace-basics.html

Workspace Overview