Add Pages From File Adding Incorrect Page Range

[Hangman]

When using Add Pages from File the page before the first page specified in the page range is added after the first page in the specified page range in the new file, subsequently, the last page specified in the page range is missing...

The text frame for the page before the first specified page which now appears as the second page in the new file is linked to a non-existent page in the newly created file as is the last page which is now the page before the last page in the specified page range...

[Dan C]

Thanks for your report @Hangman!

I can confirm I've been able to replicate a similar issue when using Add Pages from File, specifying a Page range that begins on the right hand side of a facing pages document, replacing the empty page in the new file - though the issue I have replicated & reported is relating to the content itself in the newly merged document, and isn't quite the same as the issue shown in your recording.

Are you able to provide a copy of the 'Alice' file used in your recording?

Many thanks in advance

[Hangman]

Hi @Dan C,

This happens when using 'Add Pages from File', specifying a page range that begins with a right-hand facing page but only where there is content on the left page preceding the selected page range...

I've rejigged the text file slightly since the screen recording but it still shows the same issue...

All chapters start on a right-hand facing page and only Chapters 1, 5 and 12 don't have text on the left-hand facing page before a chapter start...

You should find that chapters 1, 5 and 12 work as expected when using 'Add Pages from File' but all other chapters will place the content from the left-hand facing page, one page before the page range selection on the second page of the new document...

Chapter 1 - Pages 1 - 6*
Chapter 2 - Pages 7 - 12
Chapter 3 - Pages 13 - 18
Chapter 4 - Pages 19 - 26
Chapter 5 - Pages 27 - 34*
Chapter 6 - Pages 35 - 42
Chapter 7 - Pages 43 - 50
Chapter 8 - Pages 51 - 58
Chapter 9 - Pages 59 - 66
Chapter 10 - Pages 67 - 74
Chapter 11 - Pages 75 - 82
Chapter 12 - Pages 83 - 89*

*Chapters containing text on the left-hand facing page before a chapter start...

You also have the annoying situation where a second section is added to each new document which consists of just the last page which has to be manually deleted. You then also have to manually change the remaining section from 'Continue page numbering' to 'Start page numbering at' for the page numbering to be reflected correctly...

The other issue as mentioned above is the first and last page text frames now link to non-existent pages...

Test File

Alice.afpub

[Dan C]

Many thanks for providing that for me and the further tests you've conducted - this is very helpful!

I'm able to replicate this behaviour with your file, and have also noted a very serious issue that stems from this. If you save, close and reopen the file you've created using this workflow, the content actually changes. Page 1 remains as Page 13 content from the original file, but Page 2-6 inherit the content from Page 1-5 in the original file.

Equally, if you already have the 'Alice.afpub' file open in the app when you use this function, you get different results than if the file is not opened.
When opened separately, the pages added will be 13,12,14-17. If the file isn't already opened, Pages 13, 3-6, 8 are added (but the app does temporarily display 13,12,14-17, as though the file was opened separately)

Obviously this should never happen, and I'm going to log this and escalate it with the team immediately.

On 6/6/2024 at 3:21 PM, Hangman said:

You also have the annoying situation where a second section is added to each new document which consists of just the last page which has to be manually deleted. You then also have to manually change the remaining section from 'Continue page numbering' to 'Start page numbering at' for the page numbering to be reflected correctly...

I believe this is all related to Sections, as in my tests I've yet been unable to replicate this behaviour if the original file doesn't use Sections.
Equally due to AF-3203 you are unable to set page numbers correctly using 'Start/Restart Page Numbering At' in the Section Manager - so I have a suspicion these are all analogous and hopefully fixing one will resolve them all together.

I hope this helps

[Hangman]

26 minutes ago, Dan C said:

I'm able to replicate this behaviour with your file, and have also noted a very serious issue that stems from this. If you save, close and reopen the file you've created using this workflow, the content actually changes. Page 1 remains as Page 13 content from the original file, but Page 2-6 inherit the content from Page 1-5 in the original file.

This in part appears to be because when adding chapters individually, if the text frame on the last page of a chapter is linked to the second page of the next chapter, i.e., the last page of Chapter One (left-facing page) is followed by the first page of the second chapter (right-facing page) Chapter Two Title and the last text frame from Chapter One is directly linked to the second page (first main text page after the Chapter Title) of Chapter two, the link is broken when adding Chapters individually using 'Add pages from File'...

So you end up with this where Chapter One is repeated constantly throughout the new document!

Original Left | Chapters Added Individually Using Add Pages from File Right

 

Yes, I think 'Add Pages from File' is well and truly broken in v2.5, I'm seeing the same results depending on the differing scenarios you've highlighted, very strange indeed...

1 hour ago, Dan C said:

I believe this is all related to Sections, as in my tests I've yet been unable to replicate this behaviour if the original file doesn't use Sections.

The Section Manager issue is a long-standing problem when using 'Add Pages from File'... When adding the first section you also lose the <Section Name> so if you are using this as a Running Header you have to add it back in manually, i.e., the <Section Name> doesn't appear for the first section added in the Section Manager so is subsequently missing from the respective pages...

[Affinity Info Bot]

The issue "[macOS] Unable to set page number using 'Start/Restart Page Numbering At' in Section Manager" (REF: AF-3203) has been fixed by the developers in internal build "2.5.3.2514".
This fix should soon be available as a customer beta and is planned for inclusion in the next customer release.
Customer beta builds are announced here and you can participate by following these instructions.
If you still experience this problem once you are using that build version (or later) please reply to this thread including @Affinity Info Bot to notify us.

[Affinity Info Bot]

The issue "Add pages from file fails to add specified pages, pages added in incorrect order, different results if the 'added' file is already opened, closing and reopening created file results in entirely different page content displayed" (REF: AF-3396) has been fixed by the developers in the latest beta build (2.6.2.3228). The fix is planned for inclusion in the next customer release.
Customer beta builds are announced here and you can participate by following these instructions.
If you still experience this problem once you are using that build version (or later) please reply to this thread including @Affinity Info Bot to notify us.