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Microsoft Publisher 2003

Using Master Pages

Master pages act as template pages for your document. Master pages save you time because they allow you to type or draw information once on the master pages so that this information appears on all the pages of your document.

Depending on what type of document you are creating, master pages may or may not be a useful feature for you. It is most useful when creating documents where the same elements need to appear at the same location on each (or at least most) pages.

return to topDesign Elements

Some elements that might be useful to place on your master pages include the following:

return to topUsing the Edit Master Pages Toolbar

The Edit Master Pages toolbar appears whenever you are creating, viewing, or editing master pages. This toolbar puts useful features in a convenient place as you work on your master pages.
Edit Master Pages toolbar

Button Function
New Master Page button Creates a new master page.
Duplicate Master Page Creates a duplicate master page.
Rename Master Page button Renames the selected master page.
Delete Master Page button Deletes the selected master page.
Layout Guides button Opens the Layout Guides dialog box.
Single to Two-page Master button Changes from Single-Page to Two-page master, or changes from Two-page master to Single-Page.

return to topFormatting Master Pages

This section explains how to create your master page. By default, Master A is applied to all pages in your publication.

  1. From the View menu, select Master Page
    The Edit Master Pages task pane appears.
    The Edit Master Pages toolbar appears.
    NOTE: For more information, refer to Using the Edit Master Pages Toolbar.

  2. Add all text and graphic elements to appear on the master page

  3. To return to your publication, from the View menu, deselect Master View
    OR
    From the Edit Master Pages toolbar, click CLOSE MASTER VIEW
    The master page is formatted and you are returned to the main publication view.

return to topCreating Additional Master Pages

For some pages of your publication, it might be helpful to have a different master page to apply. Publisher 2003 allows you to create more than one master page for your publication.

  1. From the View menu, select Master Page
    The Edit Master Pages task pane appears.
    The Edit Master Pages toolbar appears.
    NOTE: For more information, refer to Using the Edit Master Pages Toolbar.

  2. From the Edit Master Pages task pane, select NEW MASTER PAGE...
    OR
    From the Edit Master Pages toolbar, click NEW MASTER PAGENew Master Page button
    The New Master Page dialog box appears.
    New Master Page dialog box

  3. In the Page ID (1 character) text box, type one character to represent this master page
    EXAMPLE: A-Z, 1-9

  4. In the Description text box, type a more descriptive name for this master page

  5. OPTIONAL: To make this master a two-page master, select Two-page master
    NOTE: Sometimes it is necessary for left pages and right pages to have different backgrounds. For example, when creating a book, all left pages should contain the book title, while all right pages should contain the name of the chapter.

  6. Click OK

  7. Add all text and graphic elements to appear on this master page

  8. From the View menu, deselect Master View
    OR
    From the Edit Master Pages toolbar, click CLOSE MASTER VIEW
    The master page is created and you are returned to the main publication view.

To rename a master page:

  1. From the View menu, select Master Page
    The Edit Master Pages task pane appears.
    The Edit Master Pages toolbar appears.
    Edit Master Pages toolbar

  2. From the Edit Master Pages toolbar, click RENAME MASTER PAGERename Master Page button
    The Rename Master Page dialog box appears.

  3. In the Page ID and Description text boxes, rename the master page as desired

  4. Click OK
    The master page is renamed.

return to topApplying Master Pages

While you are viewing your publication pages, the Apply Master Pages task pane allows you to apply master pages to different pages of your publication.

Applying Master Pages: Page by Page Option

Use this option if you want to apply a master page to one individual page or to a two-page spread.

  1. In the Edit Master Pages task pane, from the Select a master page pull-down list, select a master page to be applied or select Ignore Master
    The selected master page option is applied to the page.

  2. OPTIONAL: To apply the same master page for a pair of facing pages, select Use the same master page for both facing pages

Applying Master Pages: Page Range Option

Use this option if you want to apply a master page to the current page, to all pages, or to a specific range of pages.

  1. In the Edit Master Pages task pane, click APPLY TO PAGE RANGE...
    The Apply Master Page dialog box appears.
    Apply Master Page dialog box

  2. From the Select a master page pull-down list, select the desired master page to apply

  3. In the Apply to section, select the desired option
    The selected master page option is applied to the designated page(s).

return to topDisplaying Master Elements

Master page elements should automatically be viewable in your publication. If master page elements do not appear to be applied to your document, follow the steps below:

  1. From the View menu, deselect Ignore Master Page
    NOTE: If the Master Page elements are not currently viewable, a checkmark is placed before the Ignore Master Page menu option.

return to topHiding Master Elements

While you are creating and editing the pages of your publication, it might be useful to hide the master page from view.

NOTE: When items are hidden, they do not print.

  1. From the View menu, select Ignore Master Page
    NOTE: A checkmark should now appear before the Ignore Master Page menu option.

return to topNumbering Pages

One useful element that can be included on the master page(s) is automatic page numbering. Using automatic page numbering on the master page provides consistent placement and formatting of page numbers.

  1. From the View menu, select Master Page

  2. From the Insert menu, select Page Numbers...
    The Page Numbers dialog box appears.
    Page Numbers dialog box

  3. From the Position pull-down list, select the desired position for the page number

  4. From the Alignment pull-down list, select the desired alignment for the page number

  5. If you do not want a page number to appear on the first page of your publication, deselect Show page number on first page

  6. Click OK
    A pound sign representing the page number is inserted into the header or footer.

  7. Format the number accordingly

  8. To return to your publication, from the View menu, deselect Master Page
    OR
    From the Edit Master Pages toolbar, click CLOSE MASTER VIEW
    The page numbering is set and you are returned to the main publication view.

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