Create multi-page spreads

Last updated on Jun 2, 2026

Learn how to use the Pages panel on Adobe InDesign to prevent page shuffling and combine pages into island spreads.

Island spreads are multi-page spreads used for special layouts, such as foldouts. When page shuffling is disabled, InDesign preserves these spreads instead of repaginating them. Brackets around their page numbers mark island spreads in the Pages panel.

Create an island spread within a document

Select Window > Pages.

Select a spread.

Select the Pages panel menu icon and deselect Allow Selected Spread to Shuffle.

To add new pages to the island spread, select the Pages panel menu icon and select Insert Pages.

To add an existing page to the island spread, drag it into the spread in the Pages panel.

To add an entire spread to the island spread, drag its page numbers from the Pages panel.

Create an island spreads across a document

Select Window > Pages.

Select the Pages panel menu icon.

Deselect Allow Document Pages to Shuffle.

Select the page you want to convert to a multi-page spread.

Select the Pages panel menu and select Insert Pages. You can include up to 10 pages in a spread. Once you reach the limit, you can’t view the black vertical bar.

Create a new document with a two-page spread

By default, documents start with a single page, but you can use Document Setup to set them to open with a two-page spread for print layouts.

Select File > New > Document.

Enter 2 in the Pages field.

Select Facing Pages to create a spread if it isn’t already selected.

Specify additional document settings as needed.

Select Create.

Update an existing document to start with a two-page spread

Select File > Open to open the document you want to modify.

Select File > Document Setup.

Enter 2 in the Number of Pages field.

Select OK.

Create documents with different page sizes

InDesign supports multiple page sizes within a single document, allowing you to resize individual pages as needed. Page sizes can override parent page dimensions, and objects adjust based on their anchor points and Liquid Page Rule settings.

Select the Page tool.

Select the page, ensuring the entire page is selected in the layout, not only in the Pages panel.

Specify settings in the Control panel to change the page size of the selected pages:

X and Y: Set the page’s horizontal and vertical position within the spread.
W and H: Change the width and height of the selected page.
Page size dropdown: Select a preset or Custom to set a custom page size.
Landscape and Portrait: Set the page orientation.
Liquid Page Rule: Control how content adjusts when the page size changes.
Objects Move with Page: Move page objects when adjusting X and Y values.
Show Parent Page Overlay: Display the parent page boundary over the selected page.

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