Applying master pages

At initial document setup, if Default master is selected, a master page will be created and applied to publication pages created at this time. After this, you can create and apply master pages at any time using the Pages panel.

Using multiple hierarchical master pages

Master pages can be applied to other master pages in more complex documents. For example, a 'parent' master page containing just page numbering could be applied to multiple 'child' master pages coloured separately for each section. This means you only need to change the page number style on the parent master page; also, as you create new pages you only need assign a child master page, which will inherit page numbering automatically from its parent.

Multiple master pages — Parent Master page (top) with footer information and child master pages (middle) with multi-colour headers and their combined effect on publication pages (bottom).

Master pages as layers

On a publication page, an applied master page is actually a layer that is indicated on the Layers panel by a vertical solid turquoise marker on the master layer's thumbnail. The layer can be expanded to expose the inherited master page's elements within, with vertical solid turquoise markers on their thumbnails.

Any master page elements edited on your publication page will show dotted turquoise markers on their layer entry.

By dragging a master layer to the top of the layer stack, you can present master page items in front of all other items in your publication.

Master page layers — Expanded master page entry on the Layers panel, showing unedited and edited master page content (indicated with solid and dotted vertical turquoise markers, respectively).

By selecting the master page's layer on the Layers panel, the inherited content can be collectively transformed. Individual objects cannot be selected on the panel and then transformed, unless you detach the master page. The content of text objects and picture frames can be edited, though.

To prevent inadvertent transformation or editing of inherited content (other than text/picture frame content), select and then lock the master layer on the Layers panel.

Master placement

With a master layer selected on the Layers panel, you can manage the master's destination (whether it is applied to the left/top, right/bottom, or both pages; available only for documents with facing pages), scaling behaviour and anchor position by tapping Layer Options. The relevant settings are shown in the Master Placement section.

The following scaling behaviours are available:

None—places the master at its original size.
Stretch—stretches the master to fill the destination exactly. It may be noticeably distorted, depending on its relative proportions and those of the destination.
Uniform to Fit—scales the master page uniformly to be completely visible within the page. There may be empty areas down the left and right or across the top and bottom of the page.
Uniform to Fill—scales the master page uniformly to fill the entire page without distorting it. Some of its contents may be cropped.

To apply a master to a spread or master page:

Drag a master page's thumbnail left out of the Pages panel.
Drop the thumbnail onto a spread or master page in the document view. The master replaces any master pages already applied to the target.

To apply a master to the current spread:

On the Pages panel:

With Masters selected at the top of the panel, long press a master page's thumbnail and select one of the following:
- Add Master To Current Spread—to apply the master page to the current spread. The master is inserted into the layer stack above any already applied master pages.
- Replace Current Spread Masters—to apply the master page to the current spread and unassign any already applied master pages.

If the current spread contains facing pages, the master is applied to both of them.

To apply a master to an individual page or multiple pages/spreads:

On the Pages panel:

Do one of the following:
- To apply to a specific spread, long press the spread's thumbnail and select Apply Master.
- To apply to a specific page or multiple pages/spreads, tap Manage Pages.
- (Optional) Select the pages/spreads you wish to affect.
- Tap Apply Master.
On the dialog that appears:
- If you long pressed a spread's thumbnail or selected pages/spreads already, the To option will be preset to Specified Pages and the relevant page numbers. Otherwise, the option will be preset to All Pages. It can be changed to affect Odd Pages, Even Pages, the Current Spread's pages, or Specified Pages (which are then entered manually).
- Set Apply Master to the required master.
- Set Replace Existing and Content as required to replace or add to masters already applied to the target pages, and to migrate or clear content from the existing masters.
Tap OK and then the back arrow (top left) to return to your workspace.

To remove one or all masters from a spread:

Do one of the following:

To remove all masters, long press the spread's thumbnail on the Pages panel and select Clear Masters.
To remove a specific master, tap the spread's thumbnail on the Pages panel. On the Layers panel, tap the unwanted master layer and then tap Delete.

To remove all masters from specific pages/spreads:

On the Pages panel, tap Manage Pages.
Select the pages/spreads you wish to affect. (In a document with facing pages, tap a spread's thumbnail to select both of its pages, or tap a page's tickbox to select only that page.)
Tap Apply Master.
Set Apply Master to None.
Tap OK.

To remove a master from a facing page:

Tap the page in the document view or on the Pages panel.
On the Layers panel, tap the master layer and then tap Layer Options.
In the Master Placement section, set Destination to Left/Top or Right/Bottom.