Affinity Publisher cannot create a layer that spans multiple pages?

[KKMM]

Hi

I would like to create a layer that spans multiple pages. The content written on that layer should only be visible within the file and not when printed, which is why I do not want to show the content on the layer when printing.

In Quarkxpress, newly created layers can function across multiple pages. However, in Publisher, a newly created layer is only valid on the page it was created on, and a new layer must be created for each subsequent page. Is it possible to create a layer that spans multiple pages by changing the settings?

Edited February 18, 2023 by KKMM

[loukash]

1 hour ago, KKMM said:

Is it possible to create a layer that spans multiple pages

You can use the Master Pages feature for this. Because unlike other layout apps, Publisher can have as many master pages applied to any given page as you want, and those are in fact being applied as layers. So you can create multiple unique master pages to be used as "global layers" only, on top (or "on bottom") of your "regular" master pages, without replacing the latter. Then you can edit them either in the Content, Detached or Linked mode, depending on how you want the "master layers" to be applied on each page, e.g. whether you want to apply their own nested layers or objects globally or just on an individual page.

You may want to experiment a bit first to get the "feeling" for how it works because it's a very flexible concept, and not all possibilities are obvious right away. (Under the hood, Publisher's master pages are apparently based on the same technology as Symbols in Designer and Linked layers in Photo.)

Here a screencast I posted recently in a similar thread:

 

[KKMM]

Dear loukash

Thank you very much for the detailed explanation and instructional video. I didn't know how to use the Master Layer as you taught me, so I really appreciate it.

[Sa-ra]

Hi! I use different layers to manage the same text on different languages for several pages. Differently from Adobe Indesign in Affinity Publisher I have to turn on/off the same layer for each page. Is there a way to manage the same layer on multiple pages?

[Hangman]

Hi @Sa-ra and welcome to the forums,

Depending on which version of Publisher you're using and how you have your file set up you may find you can achieve what you need by using Layer States...

https://affinity.help/publisher2/English.lproj/index.html?page=pages/ObjectControl/layerStates.html&title=Layer states

[walt.farrell]

1 hour ago, Sa-ra said:

Hi! I use different layers to manage the same text on different languages for several pages. Differently from Adobe Indesign in Affinity Publisher I have to turn on/off the same layer for each page. Is there a way to manage the same layer on multiple pages?

If you turn off the layer on the Master Page itself, it will turn off on all pages you've applied that Master Page to.