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• • August 12, 2015 at 1:24 pm #77278
    Deborah Masterson

    Member

    I have created a file with running heads that draw text from text variables. The title of the doc appears at the top of pg. 1 in the text frame and the subsequent recto running heads –which call on the “title” variable– correctly supply the title text.

    However, as the actual text which contains the author’s name does not appear until the end of the doc, likewise the verso running head which is to display the author’s name does not actually display it until the final page where the author’s name appears. Neither editing the variable for “First on Page” nor “Last on Page” helps.

    Can **you** help??

  • August 12, 2015 at 3:23 pm #77281
    Dwayne Harris

    Member

    If I understand correctly, the running heads are the book title on the recto and the author’s name on the verso?

    If so, I wouldn’t even bother with text variables. I’d just type it in the running head box on the master page.

    If the author’s name doesn’t appear until the very last page, then InDesign is doing what it’s supposed to do: Not putting the author’s name in the running head until it sees it. The only way to force it to see it earlier is to also have it on the first page as well. Since you don’t want it to print, you can always highlight the author’s name to print as none or white.

    I personally recommend using character styles for running head variables (they can be nested or in unique situations, the title can be highlighted physicall). The character style is empty of course.

    As of now, InDesign can’t go to the end of the book, find the variable for the author’s name, and then backtrack to make it a running head. It won’t make a running head until it actually sees the variable.

  • August 12, 2015 at 3:46 pm #77283
    Deborah Masterson

    Member

    Thanks, Dwayne, I really appreciate your reply.

    I am creating a template for an edited collections of articles. The doc in question is just one of many which are collected into a book file (.indb). The client insists on author at the end of each article. I was hoping to automate operations as much as possible for whomever uses the template in the future. I did try the “print as none or white” solution which works fine, but it’s pretty kludge-y when it comes to giving instructions to the next template user. I may have to settle for that nevertheless.

    Again, much appreciated!!

    • August 13, 2015 at 9:10 am #77297
      Dwayne Harris

      Member

      Glad to help. Yeah–the workaround isn’t the greatest–but it’s the only thing I’ve ever been able to come up with. ID needs to see that author name right away in order to make the running heads.

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