Table of contents does not include headers defined by Parent pages

[michal_PL]

Hey, I have a problem - Table of contents does not include Headers defined by Parent pages.

I set up document with a couple of parent pages, containing headers, that shall be included in Table of contents. Unfortunately, none of headers placed thanks to parent page are included in ToC. If I insert standard text paragraph next to the one applied by parent, and asign the style that should be included in ToC - it works (such a header will be included in ToC).

I set up section markers but this doesnt seem to change anything in problem - if I create a header outside of Parent page, it will fetch Section marker as the one from parent page, but the independent one  will be included in table of contents, and parent-placed one not.

Any tips how to solve this?

Additional question - if I have pages with no place for header, but would still like to have this page included in table of contents, with some title, can I just add White title at the bottom of such a page, and include such a paragraph style as another Lvl1 to be included in ToC? Ir is there a better way?

[Eugene Tyson · Accepted solution]

If it's part of the parent page and can't be selected on the normal page that's likely the issue.

What you can do is 'soft-break' it away from the Parent Page by overriding the Parent Page item - but don't change anything else about it. 

On the pages with the headings - hold down the modifier keys on your keyboard 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqfTOV92qJo

If you don't make any changes to position, font, size etc. - just unlock it - it should pick it up.

But by doing it this way it should still be adjustable on the Parent Page and the changes should reflect on each page.

I'm pretty sure how it works - not at the computer at the moment but give it a try and see if it resolves your issue.

[michal_PL]

Thanks @Eugene Tyson , it worked!

It got completely disconnected though.

Do you think it is bug? Because as for feature it is not explained at all.

Ragarding the second question - do you think there is a better way to include in ToC page without visible header, than to create invisible header?

Use case: I'm creating book that includes some full-page posters, and i would like to have this poster included in ToC. I wonder if I should create white(invisible) header beneth the poster or this is not recommended?

[Eugene Tyson]

I don't think it should completely disconnect. I tried a sample file here, and set a text frame on the parent page.

Then went to page 1 and used CMD SHIFT Click to select the frame. 
I went back to the Parent Page and moved the item and moved ok. 

In what way is it disconnecting for you?

Anyway - you can't have TOC pick up text from Parent Pages, it has to be live text on the pages.

[michal_PL]

My bad, I was testing text update - content of frame is disconnected, but any changes of frame position work as you described. Works 101%. Thank you!

It also addresses my other concern - as I have this header on all pages in unit, I was concerned that I will have to differenciete style of paragraphs - first one in the unit to be included in ToC, and subsequent ones to be ommited, but since I have to soft break the one I want to include in ToC, I no longer have to worry about duplicates ❤️

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Use text variable for the header. They will still update even if you break the link of the frame to the parent pages. 

Also, put your other parent page items on a separate layer and lock it. That way, they will not be overridden.

You can override all or multiple the pages at once by selecting them in the Pages panel and use the panel's menu to override the items. 

[michal_PL]

@Dave Creamer of IDEASI have section marker in Header and it seem to work defining headers correctly as I defined sections. Do you mean this or Running header (text variable)? How I should apply this one?

[Dave Creamer of IDEAS]

Without knowing more about how your file is set up and about your headers, I can't say the best thing to use. It read like you have a static header that needed to be updated after the parent page override. If your section markers are working, stay with them. 

[Willi Adelberger]

1. A TOC entry can only target a single point. Parent page content is insteadn to use for several pages. That is why it is not possiblr to target to parent pages.
2. On parent pages you should not put real content, never. Use text variables which will take content from an applied page automatically and show instead of the placeholder of the parent page. This will help you to reduce the number of parent pages to a minimum possible as you use for different chapters the same parent page.

[michal_PL]

Thanks @Willi Adelberger  - I paired this with section markers, so there was no real content on parent pages indeed, but these variable headers still were not included in ToC if they were connected with parent. Disconnecting headers worked as per Eugene's recommendation.

Thank you for all the tips!

[Willi Adelberger]

Personally I recommend not to override master page content as it can cause problems, when you later want to apply a different master.

[michal_PL]

@Willi Adelberger  Yes it would be my bet as well. I thought it should work without overriding/braking connection.

But do you see any other solution to the situation:
I have Parent A with Header style that is included in Table of Content
I apply Sections to document to define units and In Parent A I placed section marker as content of Header.

Now every unit have correct header (thanks to sections and section marker placed in contents of Header on Parent A), but none of these unit titles are included in Table of Contents, as they are connected to Parent page.

How to include them in ToC without soft-breaking header?

[Eugene Tyson]

There's situations for every scenario and vice versa - at the end of the day - get the work done and move on.