Add single page in a facing pages document

[Brian_J]

I need help understanding how master pages work.

I created a document with facing pages that has text frames applied to the master pages. When I add a single page between two existing pages, the pages after the new one retain the text frame from the master page that was applied before adding the page -- i.e., the text frame from the left master page is on right facing pages and vise versa. All other elements on master pages are applied correctly.

I've tried different text flow scenarios, like: flowing text between pages, not flowing text, inserting Frame Breaks. Nothing I've tried has had any effect.

I've attached before and after examples. There are colored borders around the master page text frames to make it easier to see what's going on.

Is there a way to add a single page between pages without messing up my document?

Thanks.

Example 1.afpub Example 2.afpub

[Old Bruce]

When I want to add a single page into a double page spread, I don't. I apply the master page None to where I want the "new" page to go and then if necessary I'll add the page at the end of the book/publication.

All you are wanting is a blank page somewhere.

We have to add pages in pairs when working with double page spreads. I have yet to see a physical publication with an odd number of pages. One sheet is two pages.

[Brian_J]

Hey @Old Bruce, I can't wrap my head around your approach to adding pages... can you share a little more info? I don't understand what you mean by "apply the master page None" -- does that somehow get a blank page between two pages? 

I understand a printed document has an even number of pages. I was going to add the single page between pages where it needs to go, then add another page at the end to keep an even number of pages.

The document I'm creating is an instruction manual with lots of annotated graphics, images, and pinned elements. Each page is a single topic and I didn't set up text to flow from page to page. As I'm thinking about it, when using facing pages I guess text should always be set up to flow from page to page with page breaks or whatever the best approach is when new sections need to start on the next page. Am I correct in that thinking?

Thanks for the help.

[Old Bruce]

1 hour ago, Brian_J said:

I don't understand what you mean by "apply the master page None" -- does that somehow get a blank page between two pages? 

When you right click on a highlighted page in the pages panel you have the context menu show Clear Masters or Apply Masters, one of the options in Apply Master is the choice of which page to use. In the drop down menu with their names is the choice of None. Same as choosing Clear from the context menu with a right click.

1 hour ago, Brian_J said:

The document I'm creating is an instruction manual with lots of annotated graphics, images, and pinned elements. Each page is a single topic and I didn't set up text to flow from page to page. As I'm thinking about it, when using facing pages I guess text should always be set up to flow from page to page with page breaks or whatever the best approach is when new sections need to start on the next page. Am I correct in that thinking?

I like to have text files independent of the Publisher file. In this case I would like to have a text file for each topic. So I would probably not have flowing text frames on the Master pages. Yes that would mean keeping track of hundred or so text files...Keep them organized in folders/directories named appropriately, along with the graphics. it is the way I like to work.

Couple of housekeeping things, I do realize this was a proof of concept document to show the problem so maybe you are already doing what I am going to suggest.

Use names other than Master A, B etc. Page Numbers and Double Page Text are easier to keep track of. Also I would apply Page Numbers to the Double Page Text and then you only have to apply one Master to the pages.

Name the various text frames and picture frames on your Master Pages. Make them fairly descriptive Left Page Number. Left Header Left Main Text Left Main Picture_1, Picture_2 etc etc. If you are consistent with names then you can have the text or images move around as you apply different master pages. They will migrate from Left_Graph_1 on master page Whatever Name you have to Left_Graph_1 on The Other Name even though they are completely different sizes and in different locations on the page.

[Brian_J]

@Old Bruce, Awesome, thanks for all the information.

I did create the actual document I'm working on differently than the example -- master pages have appropriate names and all the layers are named... accept for the Frame Text layers. It never occurred to me to name them -- excellent suggestion.

I probably could have gotten away with only one master. This was my first significant APub project and, in addition to not knowing what I was doing, I wasn't sure if I was going to need different page layouts. Trying to anticipate potential issues, I created one master with a running head and page numbers and another with the text frames.

You're initial response got me thinking and gave a lightbulb moment. It's important to flow text from page to page to enable me to simply insert a page break to add a new page. There are quite a few elements that I didn't pin initially because it was getting complicated with all the info packed on some pages. But I'm at the point in my learning curve where I've decided to go back and pin every element on each page and add page breaks on every page. That should take care of my problem.

Appreciate your help.