Create and use master pages

Page layout templates, including book templates in landscape orientation, use master pages as starting points for each page in the document. Every page layout template has a blank master page, and book templates also have a variety of predesigned master pages with placeholder elements.

When you add a new page to your document, you choose a master page, then add your own content. Changes you make on your document page don’t affect the master page.

In Edit Master Pages view, you can create and design new master pages and modify the existing master pages however you like.

Add a new master page

To create a new master page, you duplicate an existing master page, name it, then modify it however you like. Any pages that are linked to the original master page aren’t affected.

  1. Tap the page number at the bottom of the screen to open page thumbnail view.

  2. Touch and hold any page, then tap Edit Master Page.

  3. Tap Show Master Pages, then tap Add Master Page.

  4. Tap a master page you want to use as a starting point, then tap Choose in the top-right corner.

    If there’s only one master page, it’s automatically chosen.

  5. Type a name for the new master, then tap Done in the top-right corner.

    The new master appears with the other masters.

  6. Make sure the new master is selected, then swipe down to close the view.

    The new master appears by itself in an editing view.

  7. Modify the page however you like by adding, deleting, or editing text, placeholders, images, shapes, and other objects.

    For more information, see “Edit a master page,” below.

  8. Tap Done at the top of the screen to return to the document.

Edit a master page

When you edit a master page, any changes you make are applied to all pages that use that master.

  1. Tap the numbers at the bottom of the screen to open page thumbnail view.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • If the master page is used in the document: Touch and hold a page that uses the master, then tap Edit Master Page.

    • If the master page isn’t used in the document yet: Tap the New Page button at the top of the view, choose the master you want to edit, then tap Choose. With the page you just added selected in thumbnail view, swipe down to close thumbnail view. Tap the Format button, then scroll down and tap Edit Master Page.

  3. Do any of the following:

    • Modify existing design elements: Remove any design elements on the page, or select an object, tap the Format button, then use the formatting controls to edit it. To learn how to change the background of a master page, see Change the page background.

    • Add images: To add a placeholder image, tap the Insert button, then tap the Media button. An image you add to a placeholder in your document will have the same size and placement on the page.

    • Add text boxes: To add a placeholder text box, tap the Insert button, tap the Shape button, tap the Basic category, then tap Text. Select the new text box, tap the Format button, then use the formatting controls to style it however you like: add a border, choose a size and font for the text, and so on. Any text you type in the text box in your document will have the same style you applied to the placeholder text box.

    • Rename it: Tap Show Master Pages, then tap the thumbnail of the master page you want to rename. Tap it again, tap Rename, then type the new name. Tap Done at the top of the screen, then swipe down to close thumbnail view.

    • Set how headers and footers appear on the page: With nothing selected on the master page, tap the Format button, then turn Show Header & Footer off or on. If you don’t want the header and footer to match what’s on the previous page, turn off Match Previous Page. Tap outside the controls to close the popover.

      If you don’t see these controls, or if they’re dimmed, first turn on headers and footers for the document and check the settings for the previous page.

  4. Tap Done at the top of the screen to return to the document.

Rename a master page

  1. Tap the numbers at the bottom of the screen to open page thumbnail view.

  2. Touch and hold a page that uses the master you want to rename, then tap Edit Master Page.

  3. Tap Show Master Pages, then tap the thumbnail of the master page you want to rename.

  4. Tap the thumbnail again, tap Rename, then type the new name.

  5. Tap Done at the top of the screen, then swipe down to close thumbnail view.

  6. Tap Done at the top of the screen to return to the document.

Tag objects to simplify switching master pages

You can tag placeholder items (images and text boxes) on master pages to make it easier to switch masters in your document. The tags “tell” the content where to go when you switch masters for a page. For example, an image that’s in a placeholder with the tag “media” will automatically be populated into a placeholder from the new master that also has the tag “media.”

If you’re creating a new master page in a book template with predesigned master pages, check the other master pages to see what tags they already use, then use the same ones, or replace them with your own.

  1. Tap the numbers at the bottom of the screen to open page thumbnail view.

  2. Touch and hold a page that uses the master you want to tag (or any page if the master you want isn’t being used), then tap Edit Master Page.

    Edit Master Page view opens, showing the master page of the page you tapped. If you want to tag a different master, tap Show Master Pages, tap the one you want, then swipe down to close the view.

  3. Select an object on the master page that you want to tag.

  4. Tap the Format button, then tap the Style tab.

  5. Scroll down, then tap Tag and type a tag.

  6. Tap the Done button to close the controls.

  7. When you’re finished tagging objects, tap Done.

Apply a different master page

You can apply a different master page to any page in your document. See “Tag objects to simplify switching master pages,” above, to learn how to tag text boxes and other objects to make the switch go smoothly.

  1. Tap anywhere in a blank spot on the page (so nothing is selected on the page), or tap its thumbnail in page thumbnail view.

  2. Tap the Format button, then tap Master.

    If you don’t see Master, make sure nothing on the page is selected.

  3. Tap the master page you want to use, then tap Choose.

  4. Adjust the content on the page as necessary to accommodate the new layout.

Delete a master page

  1. Tap the numbers at the bottom of the screen to open page thumbnail view.

  2. Touch and hold a page that uses the master, then tap Edit Master Page.

  3. Tap Show Master Pages, then tap the thumbnail for the master page you want to delete.

  4. Tap the thumbnail again, then tap Delete.

  5. If pages in the document are linked to this master page, in the dialog that appears, select a new master page for those pages, then tap Choose.

  6. Swipe down to close this view, then tap Done in the top-right corner to return to the document.