selecting background objects

Welcome to Apple Discussions Michael

It's not intuitive, but it is easy to select objects that have been moved to the back. Start by showing the layout from the View menu, click outside of the layout area to enter the object layer, now drag the cursor toward the object until you see the handles.

I don't know about a glossary, but how about looking at the index in the Pages manual, looking up terms you don't know. Pages 1 came with a separate manual, but Pages 2 has a PDF on the DVD. You can also download the most current version of the Pages manual here.

One idea that has really helped me is to avoid the 'send to the back' command. Use 'send backward' instead. Send to the back puts objects behind the default text layer and make them harder to select, forcing you to use the method Peggy suggested.

Kurt

Peggy's method won't work if you use a template with Master Objects (a useful feature if you want to add background colour or image to your file, and then continue with your project, i.e. adding text and other objects over it.) Check, for example, 'Classic Brochure' (Vineyard B&B) template - you can't select the vertical olive green boxes by just dragging the cursor from outside the printable area.

To select Master Objects: go to Format Menu - Advanced - Make Master Objects Selectable.

After making your adjustments uncheck Make Master Objects Selectable.
This method is useful when you want to avoid locking and unlocking objects as your project proceeds and you want to make adjustments to other objects on the page without worrying about background. While the Master Object stays unselectable, you can drag cursor and select objects you want to work with.

I produce a magazine in Pages, and I have spent a lot of time and effort trying this out.

I hope this helps,

Cheers to all,

Alex,
Normandy

iMac, iBook Mac OS X (10.4)

iMac, iBook Mac OS X (10.4.7)

iMac, iBook Mac OS X (10.4)

iMac, iBook Mac OS X (10.4)

I had exactly the same problem and appreciate finding the solution....thanks.

Joe Panza
Colonel, USAF (ret)

You just have to make master objects selectable first. That doesn't mean the "click in the margin & drag" method doesn't work.