Adding page numbers in InDesign – a step-by-step guide

InDesign is a powerful design software that allows users to create stunning layouts for print and digital publications. One essential feature that every document needs is page numbers. Page numbers not only help readers navigate through the document, but they also give it a more professional and polished look. In this article, we will guide you step by step on how to add page numbers in InDesign.

Step 1: Create a Master Page

The first step in adding page numbers is to create a master page. A master page serves as a template for the rest of your document. It contains elements that are consistent across all pages, such as headers, footers, and page numbers. To create a master page, go to the “Pages” panel, click on the menu icon, and select “New Master…”. Give it a name, and you will see a new master page appear in the panel.

Step 2: Place the Page Number Placeholder

Next, you need to place the page number placeholder on the master page. The page number placeholder is where the actual page numbers will be placed. To do this, select the “Type” tool from the toolbar and click on the desired location on the master page. A text cursor will appear, and you can now type in your desired text or leave it blank. To add the page number placeholder, go to the “Type” menu, select “Insert Special Character”, and choose “Markers” > “Current Page Number”.

Step 3: Apply the Master Page to Your Document

After creating the master page and placing the page number placeholder, you need to apply the master page to your document. To do this, go to the “Pages” panel, right-click on the desired page or spread, and select “Apply Master to Pages…”. In the dialog box, choose the master page you just created, and click “OK”. The master page will be applied to the selected pages, and you will see the page numbers appearing on those pages.

Adding page numbers in InDesign is a simple but essential task that should not be overlooked. By following these steps, you can easily add page numbers to your document and enhance its navigability and professionalism. Now you can confidently create documents with page numbers using InDesign!

Understanding Page Numbering in InDesign

Page numbering is an essential aspect of any document, helping readers navigate through the content efficiently. In Adobe InDesign, page numbering can be easily added and customized to suit the needs of the document.

When working with page numbers in InDesign, it is important to understand some key concepts:

By understanding these concepts, you can effectively add and customize page numbers in your InDesign documents. Whether you’re working on a simple brochure or a complex book layout, page numbering can help create a professional and user-friendly reading experience.

Creating Master Pages with Page Numbers

In InDesign, you can create master pages that contain page numbers, which can save you time when designing multi-page layouts. To create master pages with page numbers, follow these steps:

By following these steps, you can easily create master pages with page numbers in InDesign. This will ensure that your document has consistent and automatically updated page numbering throughout its pages.

Inserting Page Numbers on a Document Page

Adding page numbers to your InDesign document can help organize your content and provide easy navigation for readers. Here’s how you can insert page numbers on a document page:

1. Select the Text Tool: Click on the “Type” tool (T) in the toolbar on the left side of the screen.
2. Create a Text Frame: Click and drag on the document page to create a text frame where you want the page number to be placed.
3. Type the Page Number Placeholder: Inside the text frame, type the placeholder text “%” followed by the letter “p” (e.g., %p). This will be replaced with the actual page number when you apply the page numbering.
4. Format the Page Number Placeholder: Customize the font, size, and other formatting options for the page number placeholder text using the Character Formatting Controls panel.
5. Apply the Page Numbering: Go to the “Type” menu, select “Insert Special Character,” then choose “Markers” and “Current Page Number.”
6. Adjust the Position: Move or resize the text frame to position the page number where desired.
7. Apply the Page Numbering to Other Pages (optional): To apply the same page numbering to multiple pages, use the “Master Pages” feature in InDesign. Create a master page with the page numbers and apply it to the desired document pages.

By following these steps, you can easily add page numbers to your InDesign document and enhance its readability and navigability.

Customizing Page Number Format

When adding page numbers in InDesign, you have the option to customize the format to meet your specific needs. Here are a few ways you can customize the page number format:

1. Number Style: You can choose different number styles for your page numbers, such as Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3), Roman numerals (I, II, III), or even alphabetic characters (A, B, C).

2. Page Number Position: InDesign allows you to position the page numbers at the top, bottom, or sides of your document pages. You can also adjust the alignment and spacing of the page numbers.

3. Text Formatting: You can change the font, size, and color of the page numbers to match your overall design. This allows you to create a cohesive look throughout your document.

4. Prefix and Suffix: In addition to the page numbers, you can add a prefix or suffix to further personalize the page numbering format. This could be a word, a symbol, or any other character you desire.

5. Sections: InDesign allows you to divide your document into sections, each with its own distinct page numbering format. This is useful when working on projects with different chapters or sections.

By customizing the page number format in InDesign, you can create professional-looking documents that are tailored to your specific needs.

Adding Page Number Markers

To add page number markers in InDesign, follow these steps:

1. Select the text frame or text box where you want to add the page number marker.
2. Go to the “Type” menu and select “Insert Special Character”.
3. From the dropdown menu, choose “Markers” and then select “Current Page Number”.
4. The page number marker will be inserted at the cursor’s position in the text frame.
5. You can customize the appearance of the page number marker by applying styles, such as changing the font, size, color, and position.
6. To update the page numbers automatically, go to the “Layout” menu, select “Numbering & Section Options”, and make sure that the “Automatic Page Numbering” option is checked.
7. If you want to add page numbers to multiple text frames, you can use the “Primary Text Frame” feature. Select the text frame and go to the “Object” menu, choose “Text Frame Options”, and check the “Primary Text Frame” box. This will automatically link all other text frames in the document, and the page numbers will be added consistently.

By following these steps, you can easily add page number markers to your InDesign documents and ensure that they are updated automatically.

Exporting a Document with Page Numbers

Once you have successfully added page numbers to your InDesign document, you may want to export it to share with others. When exporting, it is important to ensure that the page numbers are maintained and displayed in the exported file. Follow the steps below to export your document with page numbers:

1. Click on File in the top menu bar and select Export.
2. In the Export dialog box, choose your desired file format, such as PDF or EPUB.
3. Select the location where you want to save the exported file.
4. Click on the Save button to proceed.
5. In the Export Adobe PDF or Export EPUB dialog box, make sure the Include checkbox is selected.
6. Click on the Options button next to the Include checkbox.
7. In the Options dialog box, make sure the Page Information checkbox is selected.
8. Click on the OK button to save your selection.
9. Adjust any other export settings according to your preferences.
10. Click on the Export button to export your document.

By following these steps, your exported file will include page numbers and maintain the page numbering structure of your InDesign document. This allows others to navigate the document easily and reference specific pages if needed.

Note: The steps provided may vary slightly depending on the version of InDesign you are using.

Q&A

How do I add page numbers in InDesign?

To add page numbers in InDesign, first select the Text tool from the Tools panel. Then, click and drag to create a text frame on the master page where you want the page numbers to appear. Next, go to the Type menu, select Insert Special Character, and choose Markers > Current Page Number. This will automatically insert the page number on the master page. You can customize the appearance of the page numbers by selecting the text frame and modifying the font, size, and color.

Can I add page numbers to specific pages in InDesign?

Yes, you can add page numbers to specific pages in InDesign. First, go to the Pages panel and select the page(s) where you want to add page numbers. Then, click on the Type menu, select Insert Special Character, and choose Markers > Current Page Number. This will insert the page numbers on the selected page(s). If you want different page numbering styles for different sections of your document, you can create multiple master pages and apply them to the corresponding sections in the Pages panel.