Use design sections

Design sections enable a unique set of capabilities and defaults which give designers the control over page and content layout as they collaborate in real-time with content contributors.

• Set the exact number of pages for each section to protect spread and layout design.
• Fix floating objects to a page to maintain placement as in-line content changes.
• Lock floating objects size and position to prevent user accidental edits. This is also available for Presentations in Designed Reporting workspaces.
• Reorder design sections to finalize report order while keeping page layout intact.

Convert to design section

To convert a standard section into a design section:

1. Right-click a section in the document’s outline.
2. Select Convert to design section.
   
   

You can also convert to a design section by clicking the toggle in the Section Properties panel. If you decide that you want to convert your design section back, right-click on the section and click Convert to standard section.

A design section is a single section that can have multiple design pages. Design pages have to be in a design section.

 

Add design pages

To add more design pages:

1. Open Section Properties.
2. Next to # of design pages, click on the + to add more design pages.
   

 

Delete design pages

You can reduce the number of design pages needed. However, you can’t delete a specific design page. You can only delete the last design page in the design section.

To delete a design page:

1. Open Section Properties.
2. Next to # of design pages, click on the -.
   
3. Click Delete to confirm.
   

Any objects that are fixed to the page will also be deleted. All other objects will be pushed into page overmatter, which is indicated by the page overmatter indicator. To learn more about fixing objects to the page, jump to Fix object to page.

 

Move design section

You can easily move a design section and keep its layout within other sections. This process is exactly the same as moving a standard section.

To move a design section:

1. In the document’s outline, click and hold on the design section.
2. Drag and drop the design section to a new place in the outline.

 

Fix object to page or anchor to text

With design sections enabled, you can fix objects to a page in addition to fixing an object to a paragraph.

To fix an object to a page:

1. Right-click on the object.
2. Select Fix position on page.

When you fix an object to a specific page within a section instead of a paragraph, changes to inline text won’t affect the placement of these floating objects. For design efficiency, any new objects made in a design page will automatically be fixed to the page.

It's recommended to use anchor to text when you want to keep a floating object close and positioned relative to a related paragraph such as, calling out quote.

To anchor an object to text:

1. Right-click on the object.
2. Select Anchor to text.
   

 

Lock object properties

An object can’t be moved, resized, or rotated when it is locked. This is helpful for when you still want to work on the objects but you don’t want them to move. Any text within an object can still be edited. Lock object properties is also available for Presentations in Designed Reporting workspaces.

To lock an object’s properties:

1. Right-click on the object.
2. Select Lock object properties.

If you decide that you want to move, resize, or rotate the object, you can unlock the object.

To unlock an object’s properties:

1. Right-click on the object.
2. Select Unlock object properties.