Automatic Page Numbering with Indesign

Automatic Page Numbering comes from a proper use of the Master Page.
In this article we will see how to manage:

1. simple numbering using the Master Page
2. number page of different kind
3. define sections in a document
4. page X of Y effect

Master pages are really useful because you can set there all those elements that you are going to repeat for all of the pages of your document.
You can create more than one Master Page. This is useful when, for example, you have a cover with fixed elements and different fixed layouts for the other pages.
Even during the creation of the document you are able to change anytime the master layouts just dragging and dropping the new master page onto the current one, as you can see in the screenshot below.


To change the contents of a master page just double-click its icon on the Pages palette.

Setup the Master Page

Let’s set up the master pages in order to set automatic page numbering.
Double-click the A-Master icon to open up it.

Create a Text box

Create a Text box clicking and dragging with the Text tool selected. Place the Text box where you want, again, just dragging and dropping it. In the example I put it on the corner.

Setup the Current Page Number

Go to Type > Insert Special Character > Markers > Current Page Number


The number initially appears as a letter but don't worry about that. Once you will be back to the document pages view all pages appear numbered properly.

Style your page number adjusting color and size, choose the appropriate font and, if suits, add words or symbols before/after the number.

Duplicate

Select the Selection tool. Hold down the ALT button and click-and-drag the text box that has the automatic page number in it in order to duplicate the text box. Move the duplicate to the right page to create another instance of the page number.

Done!

If you go back to the document view (just double-click one of the pages to do that) you'll see all pages properly numbered.

Page Numbers of different kind

What about using different numbering for different section (i.e. the author biography)?
You simply have to assign different options for different sections.
Using Numbering & Section Options, you can restart page numbering at a specified page, add prefixes to page numbers, and change the numbering style of both pages and chapters.

Define sections in a document

• In the Pages panel, select the first page in the section you want to define, i.e. page 1.

• Choose Numbering & Section Options in the Pages panel.

• The option Start Section marks the selected page as the beginning of a new section.

• To end the section, repeat the section numbering steps on the first page of the new section and select the page number which from you want to start.

Page X of Y effect

Creating a “Page x of y” effect in which x is the current page and y is the total number of pages is easy and is a very common use of the page numbering.
Repeat all steps you done for automatic numbering a document.
Once you have created a Current Page Number marker for x, than insert the Last Page Number text variable for y choosing Type > Text Variables > Insert Variable > Last Page Number.



This is the final result.

Easier than managing the numbering manually, isn't it?
I hope that my tips could help!