Running headers, footers, and page numbers are document elements that should always come from a master page. But you might wonder how to keep things like page numbers visible on your document pages when you have other objects like photos or backgrounds that overlap them. Unless you override them, master page items will be stuck sitting behind items that you create on your document pages.
So what’s to be done? Never put any objects in the same area as your folios? Always override headers and footers when they get covered up? Nope, there’s a much better (and as we say in Boston, “wicked easy”) solution. And in the latest InDesign Secrets video at lynda.com, Anne-Marie Concepción demonstrates it.
She also shows how to handle situations where a dark folio would be hard to read over a background color or photo. So check out the InDesign Secrets video series at lynda.com and “master” the trick of keeping page numbers always visible.
This article was last modified on March 5, 2025
This article was first published on October 3, 2014
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RIGHT CLICK ON THE PAGE AND SELECT “OVERRIDE ALL MASTER PAGE ITEMS” THEN YOU CAN RIGHT CLICK TO EDIT THE PAGE NUMBER AND ARRANGE IT TO THE FRONT.
It’s an interesting discussion. I’m sure there are even more ways to keep your master items visible.
Right.
All true, and interesting suggestions! Thanks. FWIW we need to keep aim some of the tips to beginning/intermediate users, so for seasoned pros like you two ;-D likely this video is not telling you anything you don’t already know.
It could all be solved if the master page moved with a text reflow though :)
I wanted to mention the Screen trick but as it does not work in any situation I didn’t.
The only thing I don’t like about this workflow is that if you have pages that are threaded the master page doesn’t follow a text reflow, forcing you to manually reapply the master pages.
Sometimes I’ll set the master text frame to have the effect of Text: Screen (or Colour Dodge). Probably not a great workflow, but it works, especially if you know for definite it will only be digitally printed.
Why master items are on the bottom layer?
99% of the time I put Master Items on the top layer.
If i need to hide a master element, I simply override it from the master page and check the “Don’t print” option.