What happened to my pasteboard?

[Parksite Karl]

Can anyone explain how my pasteboard got like this and how to get it back to normal size?

There is no object on that page.  The image shows Preview off.

If I try to select everything on the pasteboard, only the page selects.  I checked all links and there is no rogue link anywhere.

What the heck?

Thanks.

Indesign 15.0.2 x64

W10 Machine

[Laubender]

The how is hard to explain.

That could happen if you placed an asset of a InDesign library file with some guides at very extreme positions.

( Now on the edges of your pasteboard of the first spread. )

Other causes would be possible as well.

You could try the following:

[1] Export document to IDML. Open the IDML as document, save to a new name and work on with that.

[2] Try to change the minimum pasteboard size in the preferences of your document.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Parksite Karl]

Thanks Uwe.

Unfortunately neither of those solutions worked.  Tried exporting to IDML but when I opened the IDML file, it brought the gigantor pasteboard with it.  And adjusting the pasteboard size does shrink it, but from its present ginormous form not resetting to actual size.

[Laubender]

Hm

[3] Then check if something is at the edges of the pasteboard.

Move it inward or remove it entirely.

[4] Alternative:

Select all on the two pages with the mouse by drawing out a selection marquee.

Do this not by using the menu command Select All. Copy the selection to the clipboard.

Add a new spread to the document.

Paste the contents of the clipboard to the new spread.

Use the menu command: Paste In Place

Remove the spread with the gigantic pasteboard.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )

[Diane Burns]

Did you try resetting your ID preferences?

[Parksite Karl]

Hi Diane,
I didn’t want to go that far ☹ I ended up pasting the content into a new document and calling it a day.
Thanks.

[Barb Binder]

That's very odd. 

Are you using Alternate Layouts on purpose? And what are your Edit > Preferences > Guides & Pasteboard > Pasteboard Options > Horizontal and Vertical Margin values? The defaults for 8.5 x 11 are Horizontal [Pasteboard] Margin: 8.5" and Vertical [Pasteboard] Margin: 1". I'm wondering if editing those values (to anything) kicks the first pasteboard back to normal. 

~Barb

[Parksite Karl · Accepted solution]

Hi BarbBinder,
I did try to adjust the Pasteboard margins. Mine was set for 1” on top and bottom and 8.5” Left and right (defaults, right?) When I tried making it 1” less on the sides, it simply brought it in 1” and did not reset to normal. Very strange. I am assuming it had to do with something I placed, although I do not know what that is and where it went 😊

Ultimately, I luckily only had the two pages, so I pasted in place all of the content into a new document (that had proper pasteboard sizes) and eradicated that bizarre file from my PC!

Thanks!

[Barb Binder]

I'm glad you found a solution!

~Barb 

[Suzie5C84]

Same problem. My pasteboard went wacko! I tried to reset and it didn't work. Any ideas? My document is 40 pages long. Don't want to redo the whole thing.

[Diane Burns]

By reset, do you mean you reset ID Prefs? I'd try that, if Barb's suggestion for changing Pasteboard Preferences back to their original measures doesn't work.

[Laubender]

"My pasteboard went wacko!"

Hi Suzie,

what exactly did happen? Could you share a screenshot?

The other option you have: Export your document to IDML, open the IDML file as document in InDesign and save to a new name.

Regards,
Uwe Laubender

( ACP )