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Adobe InDesign CS3

Formatting Master Pages

When creating a new InDesign document, default Master pages are applied to all of your pages; however, the elements on each of these pages can easily be formatted. In addition, InDesign allows you to create multiple Master pages. This lets you format selected pages of your document to the desired Master page.

For more information on Master pages, refer to Using Master Pages and Master Pages: An Overview.

• Formatting the Default Master Pages
• Creating Additional Master Pages

Formatting the Default Master Pages

By default, the A-Master, or default master page, is applied to all pages in your initial publication. This includes basic default formatting options, such as margins. Changing or adding design elements to your master page is an easy way to create the basic format of your document.

1. If the Pages palette is not displayed, from the Window menu, select Pages
   NOTE: A checkmark appears when this option is selected.
   OR
   On the Dock, click PAGES
   The Pages palette appears.
   
   

2. To format even-numbered pages in a document with facing pages, in the Pages palette, double click a left A-Master page icon
   To format odd-numbered pages in a document with facing pages, in the Pages palette, double click a right A-Master page icon

3. Design the page by adding any text and graphic elements that you want to appear on each page of your document

4. When finished, view the results by double clicking the icon for any document page(s)
   The page appears on the screen.

Creating Additional Master Pages

For some pages of your publication, it might be helpful to have a different master page to apply. InDesign displays all master pages in the Pages palette.

1. If the Pages palette is not displayed, from the Window menu, select Pages
   NOTE: A checkmark appears when this option is selected.
   OR
   On the Dock, click PAGES
   The Pages palette appears.
   

2. From the Pages palette, click MENU» select New Master...
   The New Master dialog box appears.
   

3. In the Prefix text box, type a unique prefix for your new master page
   NOTE: The prefix can contain no more than 4 characters.
   EXAMPLE: The default master is A-Master (A being the prefix). Both the prefix and the master name will appear in the Pages palette.

4. In the Name text box, type a name for your new master page

5. OPTIONAL: To base the new master on an already existing master, from the Based on Master pull-down list, select the master it will be based on
   HINT: This is helpful if you want a new master page that looks like a previous one, but you want to make a few changes.

6. In the Number of Pages text box, type the number of pages the new master spread will contain

7. Click OK
   Your new master page icon appears in the Pages palette.

8. To format your new master page, refer to Formatting the Default Master Pages