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Writer's Haven => Formatter's Forge [Public] => Topic started by: Jan Hurst-Nicholson on March 22, 2024, 04:01:50 AM

Title: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Jan Hurst-Nicholson on March 22, 2024, 04:01:50 AM
I'm about to do a print version of my public speaking book. Haven't done a print of anything since Create Space days  :icon_rolleyes:.
I've divided it into four parts with sections and sub-sections and bullet points etc.
Need advice and bewares on putting page numbers in the TOC
I have checked the similar non-fiction books in my library and will follow a similar layout.

Part 1: Preparing and Writing The Speech
1.   Where are my notes? ……………………………………………………………………………. 6
        Using cards, scripts or an electronic device?
2.   What should I talk about? ………………………………………………………………………12
        Choosing a subject.
3.   Who’s going to be there? …………………………………………………………………… 20
        Writing for your audience
4.   Does this make sense? …………………………………………………………………………25
        Constructing a logical beginning, middle and ending
5.   What should I call my speech? …………………………………………………………….28
        Choosing a title
6.   Do you understand what I mean? ……………………………………………………….31
         Using a suitable vocabulary

I haven't numbered the pages yet. Thought it was best to get the layout done first.

Has anyone had experience doing this and can give me some tips?

Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Post-Doctorate D on March 22, 2024, 04:22:42 AM
If it's a print book, including page numbers is reasonably safe.

You're not doing them manually though, are you?

I've used Pages (Mac) and InDesign.  Both have features that allow you to semi-automatically build your Table of Contents.  They can automatically number the pages and, if anything in the book changes, you can have the Table of Contents updated and it will automatically update any changed page numbers.

I imagine Word has a similar feature.

Makes things a lot easier.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Jan Hurst-Nicholson on March 22, 2024, 04:31:24 AM
If it's a print book, including page numbers is reasonably safe.

You're not doing them manually though, are you?

I've used Pages (Mac) and InDesign.  Both have features that allow you to semi-automatically build your Table of Contents.  They can automatically number the pages and, if anything in the book changes, you can have the Table of Contents updated and it will automatically update any changed page numbers.

I imagine Word has a similar feature.

Makes things a lot easier.

Thanks.

I'm using the TOC from the ebook (minus links) and intended to add the page numbers manually. I'm not good at learning new programmes etc and prefer to do it manually rather than struggle with something new (unless it has plain vanilla instructions and is free  :icon_rolleyes:) I will give it a try, though.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Vijaya on March 22, 2024, 05:37:25 AM
Jan, the page numbers will depend on the trim size. You don't want to use the e-book for page numbers. Word can generate the TOC if you use styles. It's been a while since I've done this (2020) and I'll need to learn it in Libre Office Writer. But if I can do it (tech-challenged) you can do it.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Jan Hurst-Nicholson on March 22, 2024, 06:21:26 AM
Jan, the page numbers will depend on the trim size. You don't want to use the e-book for page numbers. Word can generate the TOC if you use styles. It's been a while since I've done this (2020) and I'll need to learn it in Libre Office Writer. But if I can do it (tech-challenged) you can do it.

Thanks.
I've never used styles  :icon_rolleyes: Was going to try it but decided it was easier to go with what I've done. I've got the book mostly sorted for print but just wary of adding the page numbers to the TOC. I guess I'll have to give it a go and see what problems crop up.
After reading other formatting problems it looks like I might have to upload in PDF rather than Word. 
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Bill Hiatt on March 22, 2024, 07:14:27 AM
Yes, upload in PDF, but that shouldn't be a problem.

The one thing I can think of is that PDF converters are essentially like printer drivers, and each printer driver spaces and potentially paginates just a little differently. For that reason, it would be a good idea to set the PDF converter as your printer driver (if you can). That guarantees that pagination won't shift after the conversion.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Post-Doctorate D on March 22, 2024, 10:30:19 AM
You can't just export to PDF?

Whether I use InDesign or Pages, if I export to PDF (rather than trying to Print to a PDF), the resulting PDF is exactly the same as I set up the file.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Jan Hurst-Nicholson on March 22, 2024, 09:38:46 PM
You can't just export to PDF?

Whether I use InDesign or Pages, if I export to PDF (rather than trying to Print to a PDF), the resulting PDF is exactly the same as I set up the file.

Thanks.

I can export to PDF when I've finished editing. I know what I'm doing in Word - not much anything else.  :icon_rolleyes: I'll see how I get on. I used to upload in Word when I used Create Space.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: TimothyEllis on March 22, 2024, 09:54:29 PM
Have you tried Draft2Digital?

Upload Word, select options, record # of pages, download PDF, Upload to Amazon.

Very straight forward. No obligation to publish on D2D.
Title: Re: Tips and advice on including page numbers in a TOC
Post by: Jan Hurst-Nicholson on March 23, 2024, 12:02:40 AM
Have you tried Draft2Digital?

Upload Word, select options, record # of pages, download PDF, Upload to Amazon.

Very straight forward. No obligation to publish on D2D.

Thanks.  :Tup2:
Will give it a try if all else fails.  :)