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!

Indesign New Document Best Setup

The best setup for a document is that one which match with your editorial needs.
Indesign is a powerful DTP tool and you can't miss to use it every time you are going to print because, as a matter of fact, it has been created for this. Remember! Never use Photoshop or Illustrator for editorial stuff if you can.
About Indesign You have to remember three essential points :
1. It has been designed for editorial publishing
2. The working space is in CMYK only
3. It is not Photoshop or Illustrator. So neither retouch, cut out or filter photo nor create vectorized elements with Indesign but use appropriate tools designed for that.
Well, let's go to setup a new Indesign document now.
Select File>New from the menu bar. The New Document dialog box appear.
Here you decide how your document is going to look like depending on your needs. You can produce from the simple postcard to the magazine up to the narrative book. It's all up to you.
In the dialog box the software asks you to choice individual options for Page Size, Columns, Margin and Bleed. Let’s go and see the differences. I’ll setup the document for creating a postcard.

Facing Pages checkbox

If you're going to create a multi-page publication that will have a spine, such as a book, catalog, or magazine, then enable this option. This is the kind of page that you are going to get:
In the example I’ve set all parameters and enabled the Facing Pages checkbox. I get a cover, a back and four middle pages.
If you're creating a one-page document, such as a business card, an ad, a poster or a postcard, leave the option unchecked.

Page Size

Indesign has some predefined options such as A4, Letter etc. but you are always able to enter in your figures considering your purpose.
In my example I'll setup the document to create a postcard so I enter 100x150mm.

Columns

If you are creating a magazine you may want to have your text distributed in more than one column. Specify how many columns your document has and choose the gutter width. The gutter is the space between the columns, their distance. In my postcard sample I don't need any column so I leave the value to 1.

Setup Margins

Margins represent the borders left between the content and the very edge of the document.
Please remember to keep all important information, like names, addresses, phone numbers or logos within the safe margin to ensure that they aren’t cut off when your document is trimmed.
The little chain icon locked means that the software automatically applies the same measurements to all four side. If you want different margins for top or bottom click on the icon. The icon turns in a broken chain and you can enter in your measurement singularly.
If you previously have checked the Facing Pages checkbox than you find Inside and Outside fields instead of Left and Right. This is because usually designers specify a larger inside margin for multi-page publication to better accommodate the spine. 
In my postcard example I have no need of a spine so my margins are the same for all four side. For a small document such as a postcard or a business card 5 mm could be enough. If you are preparing a wide document for a poster or and advertising  remember to leave a proportional margin.

Bleed and Slug

If this option doesn't appear automatically than click the More Option button in order to access it.
Bleed is the area of artwork that is extended beyond the actual dimensions of your design. To prevent an unwanted white border from showing at the edge of your document, be sure to extend any background colors or design elements all the way to the bleed edge. Most of printing companies place the specific demands for the bleed amount on their website. By the way the common value for bleed in Europe is 3 mm, which correspond about to 1/8'' in USA standards.
Finally you may want to setup the slug area, that area that you need to specify all others printing marks or information.
Click ok and you have your new, blank document. Indesign provides to show you Bleed, Margin and Edge lines in different colors.
Almost all of the inserted parameters can be changed clicking on File>Document Setup
You may change the number of pages just adding or deleting them from the Pages palette.
Other resources about this topic:
Designing for Print – Setting Up Crops and Bleed
Print Design: Don’t forget to use Bleed
Bleed (printing) on Wikipedia
Bleed and Content Margins

Best Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator, QuarkXPress Cheatsheet for Designers

Keyboard shortcuts to invoke a command are something essential for everyone who use professionally a computer.
Shortcuts improve your efficiency, make you easy working with the pen tablet because you don't have continuously run to click the right tool, zooming, selecting etc.

Particularly, Adobe family software do an extensive use of shortcuts.
There are myriad of commands and they are slightly different whether you use a Mac or a Pc. Obviously the best way to improve their use is USING them as well. By the way is not easy to learn them without practicing because they involve even four buttons combination. You have to be able to move your hands on the keyboard like a pianist.

Although you are able to change the keywords settings from the Preferences menu, I suggest to keep the default ones. In this way you already have the habit with the standard shortcuts even if you change computer, at home, at work or in other place.

Now then a list of useful links where you can download useful cheatsheets for Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator and QuarkXPress.

Photoshop, Indesign, Illustrator from Computer Arts




Photoshop only from Trevor Morris Photographics

Complete graphic software shortcuts collection for Mac or Pc thanks to Noble Desktop, even QuarkXPress!

Devcheatsheet, a complete repository for many different software cheatsheets with the dedicated pages:

Indesign

Photoshop



Illustrator




Other references:
Sixrevisions.com - Cheat Sheets for Web Designers
Sixrevisions.com - 40 Useful Cheat Sheets for Designers