You can easily add page numbers to your InDesign project by adding the Current Page Number special character to the parent (master) page and then applying the parent page to the rest of your document. Go to Type > Insert Special Character > Markers > Current Page Number.
My name is Liuda. InDesign is my favorite tool for making layouts and publishing designs because there are many sophisticated tools and features that make the process easier and deliver great results.
As usual, I use Adobe InDesign to make nice layouts and designs for books, magazines, brochures, and more. As usual, publications may require page numbers.
In this article, I will show you how to add page numbers to your InDesign document on Windows and macOS.
Let’s dive in.
Key Takeaways
- Create a text frame large enough to hold the longest page number and any text you want to appear next to it. Position the text frame where you want the page number to appear.
- If your document has facing pages, create separate text frames for the left and right parent pages.
- You can find the proper panel from the overhead menu Select Type > Insert Special Character > Markers > Current Page Number.
- If you’d like to delete or edit a page number, go to a particular page, press the Shift + Command buttons together, and select the page number. After this, you can either delete or edit the page number.
- Apply the parent page to the document pages where you want the page numbering.
How to Add Page Numbers in Adobe InDesign
Adding page numbers in Adobe InDesign is an important feature to know. You can add a page number marker that updates automatically. As you add, remove, or rearrange pages in the document, the page number updates accordingly. You can also format and style page number markers.
Follow the steps below to add page numbers in Adobe InDesign on your Mac or PC.
Step 1: Open the Pages panel, from the overhead menu Window > Pages.
Step 2: Go to the Pages panel, and double-click the master page where you want to add your page number. The master page will appear. It is blank, in my case.
Step 3: Create a text frame using the Type Tool (keyboard shortcut T). Position the text frame where you want the page number to appear. It could be the top corner, bottom corner, or maybe in the center bottom line.
If your document has facing pages, create separate text frames for the left and right parent pages.
Step 4: Select Type > Insert Special Character > Markers > Current Page Number.
Symbol “A” will appear, because the name of my master page is A-master. If your master’s name is “B-master”, you’ll see “B” instead of “A”.
Step 5: Apply the master page to the document pages where you want the page numbering to appear. You can start with the first page, or you can skip it and start with the second one.
To do that go to my A-master Page panel, select the master page, and move it to your document page.
Or you can select page 1 of your document, right-click on your mouse, and select Apply Master to Pages.
You can choose which master page to apply for all pagers or selected pagers.
Pro Tips
Use the Numbering & Section Options dialog box in the Layout panel to change the page numbering style to use a different format. You can also use this dialog box to restart page numbering or to start page numbering at a number you specify.
Select Layout > Numbering & Section Options. Specify options, and then select OK.
By default, InDesign starts numbering a document from page 1. But in many cases, you want to start the numbering from a different page. For example, when page 1 is the cover of your document.
In case you would like to change the page numbering style, you can press the Shift + Command/Ctrl keys together, and tap on your page number to delete or edit the style or format of the page number.
If you accidentally did something you would like to undo, simply hit Command/Ctrl + Z to undo the last action.
Final Thoughts
Many publications may require page numbers. Knowing how to add page numbers in Adobe InDesign is essential to help you arrange different elements of your projects and make adjustments that will help polish things up nicely.
Page number markers are commonly added to parent pages. When parent pages are applied to document pages, the page numbering updates automatically.
What is your favorite tip for adding page numbers or editing page numbers in Adobe InDesign? Do you have any other tips? Let me know in the comments below.
