Same Page number for a set of Facing page(s)

[PDP_3]

I would like to know if there is a way to automatically insert the same page number for both of the facing pages.

For example, 

Facing page(s) (2-3)  - Page Number (2-2)

Facing page(s) (4-5)  - Page Number (3-3)

Facing page(s) (6-7)  - Page Number (4-4)

Additionally, is there also a way to implement this with a different language, i.e, having the same page number for facing pages in 2 different language scripts.

For example,

Facing page(s) (2-3) - Page number (2 [For left facing page]) and (٢ [For right facing page] - 2 in Arabic)

More like,

Facing page(s) (2-3)  - Page Number (2-٢)

Facing page(s) (4-5)  - Page Number (3-٣)

Facing page(s) (6-7)  - Page Number (4-٤)

It would be really helpful if some workarounds exist or would it be possible through scripting. If such a discussion was already made, it would be much appreciated to point me to it since I don't seem to find an answer.

[Willi Adelberger]

I have only one solution as InDesign knows only page, but not spread numbers.

1. Create a document in the size of your spreads as non facing pages, but not pages.
2. Make there the numbers as you need them.
3. Export as PDF/X-4 with bleed.
4. Place that document in a facing page document with the final pages size.

Instead of step 3 you can place the INDD directly into the other document without exporting as PDF. 

[PDP_3]

Hello Willi,

Thanks for the workaround suggestion. Just to ask since I am new to InDesign. The document that I am working on will be around 1200 pages. Will it be easier to placce the INDD for the whole number of pages rather than having them numbered manually?

[Willi Adelberger]

Placing whole spreads with a prepaired image frame with an approptiate object style is not much work.

But 1200 pages? I would recommend to split in several documents bundled into 1 indb book file.

[PDP_3]

Sure. I was also wondering on how to go ahead with the document and it is best to do it in parts to avoid any complications.

[Peter Kahrel]

In fact you're not using page numbers but, rather, spread numbers. The second spread (pp. 2, 3) are numbered 2; the third spread (pp. 4, 5) are numbered 3. Etc. It should be pretty straightforward to add some text frames for the 'page' numbers on your master page(s) and to do a script that overrides those frames and inserts the numbers.

P.

[PDP_3]

I suppose then using scripts would be the only possible method to implement it reasonably. I would have to look into it to make my work more easier.

Thanks for the input...

[Peter Kahrel]

That's correct. A script can't be avoided.

[Spenno]

There is a workaround - use the normal procedure on your master pages to create the automatic page numbers:

Type > Insert Special Character > Markers > Current page number

But for the righthand/odd page, use Previous page number (not current page number).

This will only work if the two text frames are linked - you can make the frames narrow so the number breaks into the second frame, or make the text a breaking paragraph style.

[PDP_3]

I thought about it, but there is a problem with the subsequent facing page(s).

For the first spread it would look like 1-1, but for the second and third it would be like 3-3, 5-5 and so on instead of 2-2, 3-3.

[Peter Kahrel]

That's not going to work, because there's no relation between page and page numbers. The numbers that appear on pages are in fact spread numbers.