One layer, multiple pages, but items disappear on all other layers

[Nameless_01]

Hi all,

I’m currently using the latest version of InDesign (19.4).

I managed to get the original packaged InDesign file from the previous design agency.

• The document is around 58 pages.
• The document has 2 layers.
• Layer 1 has all the items/content and Layer 2 is just some sort of a margin guide.

However, on closer inspection, I noticed that Layer 1 was ONLY showing the items/content of the specific page spread I was on, and as I clicked on any other page, it would load the items/contents of that new page on that very layer and the previous page contents would disappear (pictures attached).

Questions:

1.  Why is it doing this?
2.  How do i or can i deactivate this?
3.  I would like to make each page spread on a sperate layer (for ease of navigation for myself). Will I have to manually do this?

Thank you

[Willi Adelberger]

Your layer structure is very confusing or not even existing. If you clean up the layers you will solve all problems regarding layers:

1. Give all layers distinctive  names.
2. Avoid the generic layer names
3. In all documents use the same names and order of layers.
4. Use the layer as Bacjground, Images, Text, Folio and Running Headers at least and move your objects on these layers. 

If you have done so and your problems extist futher, ask and we will and can help you. As it is now, I see only a chaotic document structure.

[Nick Passmore]

You could make a separate layer for each spread say p1, p2-3, p4-5 . . . p56-57, p58 then select the content of each spread one by one and move that content to the appropriate layer.

That could be scripted but, although layers are document wide, the Layers panel is still only going to show the items on the active spread so I don't think it's going to help you much.

[Nameless_01]

Yes, whilst waiting for a response - i eventually did copy content from each page spread and make seperate layers/labelling them by page numbers.

[Willi Adelberger]

No, that is wrong. Layers have NOTHING to do with pages. Start working correctly and the problems are solved and  not with following crapp recommendations.

[rob day]

• Why is it doing this?
•  How do i or can i deactivate this?

Hi @Nameless_01 , InDesign Layers are a document level object. The items you see listed when you toggle open a Layer item are not sublayers, they are page items and only the page items for the active spread are listed in the Layers panel.

A typical way to organize Layers is by object type—e.g., Images, Text, Footers, Background, etc.—in this example I could hide or lock all of the images on the page.