Expert: Roy Wilhelm - 11/15/2008

Question
I have page numbers set up on my master page. How do I get the page numbers to start where I want? I have a table of contents and cover letter that I do not want numbered. I CTRL+SHIFT+CLICK and deleted the page numbers off of these pages, but they are apparently still being counted since the page that i want to be number one is number 4. fix?

Answer
I have a fix for you. Very simple.

In the Pages palete, click on the page you want to be numbered as "1." Then click on the Pages palette options drop down menu (top right corner of the palette). Select "Numbering & Section Options." Select "Start Page Numbering at" and enter "1" in the field to the right.

Note that this will start a new "section" in your document. Any time you interrupt the normal numbering of pages, InDesign needs to assign a new section. This way, the application knows the difference between the physical third page and the page you want marked as 3 (which may actually be the 10th page in the document).

When you go to print the document, notice that your page range will look something like this:

1-Sec1:80 (with 80 being the last page in the document)

If you wanted to print, say, page 50, you'd indicate it like this in the print window: Sec1:50

Hope this helps.

Roy