Why InDesign for long documents
Word and Illustrator break down once a document grows past a few spreads. InDesign was built for editorial work — its frame-based model, master pages and threaded text let you typeset hundreds of pages while keeping every element in sync.
Set up the document correctly
File → New → Document. Choose Print, set Facing Pages on for books, off for single-page flyers. Margins: 12–18 mm body, 20+ mm spine. Columns: 1 for novels, 2–3 for magazines. Set the bleed to 3 mm and slug to 5 mm if you'll send to a printer.
Pages panel basics
Window → Pages. Drag pages to reorder, double-click a number to navigate, right-click to insert. Spreads sit side by side; click between two pages to add a page in the middle of a flow.
Threaded text frames
Draw a text frame with T. Paste your manuscript — the red overflow square appears. Click it once, then click anywhere on the next page to thread the story. Hold Shift while clicking to autoflow into every remaining page.
Columns inside frames
With a text frame selected, press Cmd/Ctrl+B for Text Frame Options. Set columns to 2, gutter 5 mm. This keeps column logic inside the frame instead of locking it to the document grid — flexible for magazine layouts.
Headers, footers and folios
Add page numbers on the master page with Type → Insert Special Character → Markers → Current Page Number. Place running headers in a separate frame. Every page based on the master inherits these automatically.
Section starts
For chapter restarts, open Pages panel menu → Numbering & Section Options. Set "Start Page Numbering at 1" — InDesign begins a new sequence at that page, perfect for front matter using Roman numerals followed by Arabic-numbered body content.
Export to PDF
File → Export → PDF (Print). Use PDF/X-4 for offset printers, High Quality Print for inkjet. Always include Crop Marks and use Document Bleed Settings to honour the 3 mm bleed you set at the start.