Page Numbering and Graphics
DTP: Numbering Pages, Part 13:
The previous installments in this series explained some problems relating to numbering pages in books and booklets.
Let us now understand the function of the graphic elements in those page numbers.
Any standard page in a book may include decorative graphic elements. Your desktop publishing program or word processor should be able to handle them easily.
You may not have noticed graphics in books. Let's take a look at them now.
Remove some books from your bookshelf and study the page number (you probably never paid so much attention to it before, right?)
Before going any further, it should be pointed out that the default page-number position in Microsoft Word is frustratingly placed at the bottom left! That's correct - you have to manually move that number position to a more sensible location each time that you want to paginate your pages. Microsoft has made numerous modifications and bug fixes over the years, but inexplicably, that absurd default position has still not changed.
In some cases, that number is located at the bottom center or top center of the page.
Some books place the page number at the top or at the bottom inside or outside of the page. Those terms do require explanation.
Many books place the left-hand page number on the upper left corner and the right-hand page number on the upper right corner. They are on the outside corners of the book, so this combination is called the Top Outside.
In other annoying (and fortunately rare) cases, the page numbers might be on the Top or Bottom Inside. This is inconvenient, because the reader has to open the book completely in order to see the page number. You may find this type of page numbering in some multiple column dictionaries or encyclopedias. Apparently, the publishers assume that the pages will be opened wide in order to be able to read the inner column - and for some reason this justifies the absurd placement. Clearly, this option is not recommended unless you want to produce an inexplicably special effect.
More articles about DTP
More articles about computerization
Index of all articles by David Grossman
Other websites by David Grossman
Find out about Jewish and Hebrew forums
Find out about forums related to computerization
Are you required to read this article for a course? Do NOT print out the article. It is copyrighted.
Your exercise for this article is as follows:
What are some guidelines for using grpahics in desktop publishing?
Copyright © David Grossman. World rights reserved. This article may not be printed, forwarded, reproduced, or copied in any way or in any medium without written permission from David Grossman.
