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Inserting new Sections


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I'm a new user trying to divide a long document into sections. I was able to create several sections using the insert icon at the bottom of the Section Manager, but then it would only create a new blank section above the last section I had already created. For example, I have created 5 sections, but when I try to insert a new blank section 6 at the bottom of the list, it inserts a new blank section 5 and my existing section 5 is moved down to the bottom and becomes section 6. 

Am I missing something? Is there a way to move sections up and down in the list?

Thanks...

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44 minutes ago, NormK said:

Is there a way to move sections up and down in the list?

Welcome to the Affinity forums.

No.

45 minutes ago, NormK said:

For example, I have created 5 sections, but when I try to insert a new blank section 6 at the bottom of the list, it inserts a new blank section 5 and my existing section 5 is moved down to the bottom and becomes section 6. 

I think it would help to see a screenshot of the Section Manager so we can see what you have. I'm also not sure what you mean by a "blank section". Sections must contain pages, though you could include empty pages in the Section if they exist at the right location.

-- Walt
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This is the way it works and the Section Manager needs a bit of TLC.

Perhaps it will change when multi-page spreads are introduced in the near future - the Section Manager will need an update because while a section can start in the middle of a facing-page spread, it should never start in the middle of a multi-page spread. I'm crossing my fingers that sections will be integrated into the Pages panel at that time.

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On 10/18/2024 at 11:32 PM, NormK said:

When I add a new section using the button at the lower left, it places it where the existing section 5 was, and moves the existing section 5 down to become section 6...

Welcome to the forum @NormK, nice that you joined. I'll explain why you're having this problem with inserting a new section.

When you click the `Add section` button, Affinity Publisher checks what the currently selected page is in the pages panel and what its number is. In the case of facing pages, it uses the number of the left page in the spread. Then, having this information, it sets the number in `Start on page` for the newly created section and positions it appropriately among the existing sections.

From the screenshots you sent us, I suspect that at the time when you created the new section in the `Pages panel`, you had page 16 selected. Since the newly created section used the number 16 for "Start on page", the existing "section 5" with a larger page number was moved down and became "section 6".

I usually create a section when the document is ready and I do it like this:

  1. Before I start I plan the section names and page numbers for them
  2. I double-click on the last page in the pages panel to select it.
  3. I create the sections one by one starting from the beginning. I click on the `Add section` icon and enter the before planed page number in `Start from page`.
  4. The first step allows me to avoid situations like the one you described.

I hope I have shed some light on how the section manager works and how sections are created. Knowing how it works will help you avoid surprises in the future and plan your work better.

Good luck. :)

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