The Master Page is always present in a layout and therefore does not need to be created. Anything inserted onto the Master Page will appear by default as the background of all pages of a layout. For example, a Text Box containing the current date, time, and page number inserted onto the Master Page will automatically appear on all of the pages in the layout. However, you can choose on an individual page basis, whether or not the master page appears as the background of that page.

 

To view the Master Page, select the View→Show→Master Page command (Figure 4.43).

 

 

The default background that will appear on all the pages can be edited on the Master Page as described in Changing Background Color and Design.