Convert a word-processing or page layout document

Pages templates are designed specifically for creating either page layout documents or word-processing documents:

Word-processing documents are intended to include mainly text, like a report or letter. They have a body text area where you type your text (you can also add shapes, images, and other objects). Text flows from one page to the next, and you can divide the document into sections that use different formatting.
Page layout documents are like a blank canvas on which can you add text boxes, graphics, and other elements, and arrange them however you want. They don’t have a body text area—all text is in text boxes that you can move around and layer with shapes, images, and other objects. Each page can be formatted differently from other pages. You can add and delete pages wherever you like without affecting any other page.

After you choose a template and begin creating your document, you can’t switch to a different template. You can, however, convert the document from word processing to page layout, and vice versa.

Convert to a page layout document

WARNING: When you convert a word-processing document to a page layout document, any existing body text (text that’s not in a text box) is deleted, along with any objects set to move inline with text. If you want to save the body text and any inline objects, copy them before you convert the document, then add a text box to the new document and paste the copied text. Objects set to stay on the page and not move with text are retained in the conversion.

Do one of the following:

Choose File > Convert to Page Layout (from the File menu at the top of your screen).
Click the Document tab at the top of the sidebar on the right, then deselect the Document Body checkbox.
If you don’t see a sidebar, or the sidebar doesn’t have a Document tab, click in the toolbar.

Convert to a word-processing document

When you convert a page layout document, any existing objects, including text boxes, remain in the document. If text boxes are layered with objects, you’ll need to adjust the layering and text wrap in the converted document.

Do one of the following:

Choose File > Convert to Word Processing (from the File menu at the top of your screen).
Click the Document tab at the top of the sidebar on the right, then select the Document Body checkbox.
If you don’t see a sidebar, or the sidebar doesn’t have a Document tab, click in the toolbar.

Important: If you change your mind, press Command-Z on your keyboard to undo the last action. You can keep pressing this keyboard combination to step back through your most recent actions. You can also revert the document to a previous version.