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Create and use a master page

Every publication includes a master page, which contains elements of the design that are repeated throughout the publication. These may include text boxes, pictures, headers, footers, and layout guides. Master pages provide one place where you can update all common elements; this way, you don't have to change them on all the pages in the publication.

To view the master page for your publication, open the View menu and select Master Page. The master page is displayed in the main workspace window:

You add elements to the master page the same way you would to your publication pages.

If you have multiple pages in your publication, you can create a master page for each publication page that uses a different design. For example, you might want a header or footer to appear in a different location on left- and right-side pages, and no header or footer to appear on the cover or back page.

You can add new master pages using the Edit Master Pages toolbar, which floats over the master page:

To create a new master page:

1. Click the New Master Page  button on the Edit Master Pages button. This button is also available on the task pane.

The New Master Page dialog opens.

2. In the Page ID field, enter a one-character master page identifier.
3. Enter a description for the master page.
4. For print publications, select the Two-page master check box if you want to create a two-page spread.
5. Click OK.

Once you've created and designed your master pages, you need to apply them to the various pages of your publication. To do so, close the master pages by selecting (unchecking) Master Page from the View menu.

When you return to the publication, the Apply Master Page task pane should appear:

If it doesn't, you can select it from the task pane menu (by clicking the task pane's down arrow), or you can select Apply Master Page from Publisher's Format menu.

You can apply a one- or two-page master to a single page, a two-page spread, to separate pages in a spread, or to several pages at a time:

1. Use the page sorter at the bottom of the window to open the page in the publication where you want to apply the master page.
2. Use the drop-down menu in the Apply Master Page task pane to select the master page you want to apply.

To apply different master pages to the pages in a two-page spread, uncheck the box below the drop-down menu (Use the same master page for both facing pages). A second drop-down menu appears for the right-side page, letting you select a different master page.

To apply one master page to a range of pages in your publication:

1. In the Apply Master Page task pane, click the Apply to Page Range button.

The Apply Master Page dialog opens.

2. Select the master page you want to apply from the drop-down menu.
3. Under Apply to, select Pages, and then enter the page range. To apply the master page to all the pages in your publication, select All pages instead.
4. Click OK.

 

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