Defining a Page Layout in FrameMaker
About 2 min read
Once you have created a new document, you apply your specifications to the page layout. This is especially necessary for a new blank document. It can also apply when you use a template to create a new document or are working with an existing document.
To define your page layout, select Format > Page Layout. You can go right down the Page Layout menu, defining Column Layout, Page Size and Pagination.
You typically will skip Line Layout and Master Page Usage unless needed. Once the page layout is complete, you can make adjustments through your Master Pages.
Questions you may have include:
- What does Column Layout do?
- What does Page Size do?
- What does Pagination do?
This lesson will answer those questions.
Column Layout
Column Layout (Format > Page Layout > Column Layout…) allows you to define the number of columns in your document, as well as the margins. You can also allow room for side heads.
If you have certain pages with a different number of columns, that can be defined later through your Master Pages. Likewise, special margin configurations can be defined through your Master Pages.
Newsletters and some reports usually have multiple columns. Letters and books usually have the default one column.
Page size
Be default the page size is 8.5 X 11 inches (U.S.). You can change the standard page size of your document from Format > Page Layout > Page Size…. Select a standard size or select Custom and enter your values.
Most books use smaller sizes, such as 6 X 9 inches or 5.5 X 8.5 inches. Other countries typically use metric sizes.
Pagination
Pagination (Format > Page Layout > Pagination…) defines whether the document is one-sided or double-sided. When the the document is double-sided, the margins are defined in Column Layout as Inside and Outside, as opposed to Left and Right for a one-sided document.
You also have the choice when saving and printing your document:
- Delete empty pages
- Make page count even
- Make page count odd
- Don’t change page count
Selecting Double-Sided will add a Left Page to your Master Pages.
Book chapters start on an odd or right page, so you would want to make the page count even for a book.
Summary
You apply your specifications to the page layout of your document by selecting Format > Page Layout. You can go right down the Page Layout menu, defining Column Layout, Page Size and Pagination. You typically will skip Line Layout and Master Page Usage unless needed. Once the page layout is complete, you can make adjustments through your Master Pages.
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