Quick way to create a master page and apply it across an entire document?

[johnny212]

Hi everyone, I’m working on a multi-page document in InDesign and I’d like to streamline my workflow. Is there a quick way to create a master page with consistent elements like headers, footers, and page numbers and apply it across the entire document at once, instead of manually adjusting each page?

[RvdT]

Yes

Right click on the parent page

And apply Parent to all pages

and all edits you do in the parent/master page should live update

[Barb Binder · Accepted solution]

Hi Johnny:

Welcome to the InDesign forums.

This is actually the default in InDesign. When you create a new document and designate the specifications in the New Document dialog box, the page information (i.e., paper size, margins, columns) is added to the A-Parent page at the top of the Pages panel. The A-Parent is automatically assigned to all of the body pages within that document. When you navigiate to the A-Parent to add the running heads (aka headers and footers), they will be automatically assigned to all of the body pages.

If you decide to reserve the A-Parent for some other use, then as per @RvdT  you can create a new Parent page, add the running heads, then right click the new parent page name > Apply Parent and apply the new Parent to To Pages: All Pages. 

~Barb

[johnny212]

Thanks mate, for your help.

[Willi Adelberger]

A method is, select all page thumbs in the page panel (or those to which you want to apply a specific master/parent), hold the alt/option key and click on the master. 

A strong recommendation: Rename your master/parent to a significant and unique name to avoid multiple of them with the same name and letter if you move pages between documents.