Q: how to transfer pages files to desktop

iTunes does not store or sync documents.

You need iCloud > Apple - iCloud - Learn how to set up iCloud on all your devices.

I think that you are talking about using file sharing with Pages in order to transfer the documents into iTunes and from there onto your computer's desktop - correct?

Take a look at this,

iOS: About File Sharing - Support - Apple

Yes iTunes can store your documents for the purposes of file sharing. Read the kb article. You do not need to use iCloud in order to move the files back and forth. Keeping the documents with all of the edits and changes in sync is a different issue altogether and that would be what you would want to use iCloud for.

Message was edited by: Demo

I'm sorry, but I don't know what you mean by "the window listing the files on the iPad" being up to date. Can you explain that in a little more detail?

Are you talking about the documents window? The window where you see all thumbnails of all of the Pages files in the Pages app on the iPad? When you want to send a file to iTunes from Pages, you tap on the wrench icon and select Share and Print and then select Copy to iTunes.

You're welcome. I'm glad that we finally got it resolved.