PDF (adobe.com)

Use a master page



To use a set of elements across all of your pages, use a master page. When you convert an ordinary page to a master page, the page moves to the top of the list in the Pages panel. When a master page is created, a Master Page Layer is added at the bottom of the layer hierarchy for each page.

Create a master page

 In the Pages panel, right-click an existing page, and choose Set As Master Page from the pop-up menu.

Any layers shared across pages become ordinary (non-shared) layers. However, layers shared across frames remain. To display master page frames in a linked page, see View objects in a state.

Link pages to the master page

After you create a master page, any newly created pages automatically inherit the master page settings. Existing pages don’t inherit these settings unless you link them to the master page. If you later change the master page, all linked pages update automatically.

The following limitations apply to inheritance of objects and behaviors from master pages to other pages:

  • Pages inherit only the current state of all objects in a master page. To inherit all states of all objects, on each page, add equal or more states to the object with the highest number of states. All objects in that page inherit all states from the master page.

  • Changes to the canvas size or image size on a page affect all pages, including pages that are not linked to the master page. To limit the changes to only the current page, select Current Page Only.

  • Only the linked pages inherit changes to the canvas color of the master page.

 Do one of the following:

  • In the Pages panel, right-click a page, and choose Link To Master Page from the pop-up menu.

  • Click in the column to the left of the page thumbnail in the Pages panel. A link icon shows that the page is linked to the master page.

    Note: When you change a setting on a page linked to the master page, the new setting prevails but breaks the link to the master page.

Show or hide the master page layer

A change in visibility is reflected across all pages.

 In the Layers panel, click the eye icon to the left of the master page layer.

Remove master page layers

 Right-click the Layers panel, and select Remove Master Page Layer from the pop-up menu.

To add the master page layer back to the page, right-click the Layers panel and select Add Master Page Layer from the pop-up menu.

Change a master page back into a normal page

 Right-click the Pages panel, and choose Reset Master Page from the pop-up menu.