Expert: James Fritz - 5/18/2009

Question
Fairly new user of InDesign (self-taught), proficient with Photoshop, very good understanding and grasp of using these types of software applications.  Brain Freeze:  I am developing a newspaper ad for someone, and the newspaper requests the document size be set as follows: printable area - 10-1/4 x 15-3/4.  Newspaper size is 11x17.  And for the life of me I cannot figure out how to translate that data into the new document settings.  I have only developed documents for people on 8-1/2 x 11 page settings previously.  I have researched the help sections on line, but nowhere does it show me how to equate out the measurements I need.  I know the drop down area of WHERE I change this information, but I don't know the numbers to enter in there for the Page Size (height, width) and/or the Margins (top/bottom, left/right).  PLEASE HELP.  Thanks so much.

Answer
Cheryl,

Just make a new document. File > new document. In the dialog box put in 10.25" width, 15.75" height.

If your document is already make, just go to file > document setup and change the dimensions. Ignore the fact that the newspaper is 11x17 since they will be placing the ad, you don't have to worry about that other size.