Question: Using InDesign I've placed two objects (the background color and brown pattern) and have several placeholders I'm using with the data merge feature.

However, for proofing reasons I'm trying to use the multiple records feature my *content* is properly appearing as a grid on the pages but the background/pattern remain in the center of the page.

I'm still new to InDesign in general so I'm sure I've missed something. I need to tell InDesign that the background objects need to be repeated as well.

[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0SfSH.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/0SfSH.png)

Answer: 
When creating a merged document (with or without multiple records), any content that is not on the actual document page will not be duplicated. This includes master page content, it will remain the same and not duplicate.

To fix the issue and have proper duplication of the background and image template, you'll need to paste those items from the master pages into the main page document.

I've worked with helion3 to fix the issue, but here are the steps for any future users:

1. Open up your Pages panel in the document and double-click the Master page that contains the items you want to have duplicated in the multi-merge.
2. Cut the items from the Master page (Cmd+X) and paste it into place (Edit > Paste Into Place) on Page 1 of the actual document.
1. <http://indesignsecrets.com/automating-data-handling.php>
2. <http://indesignsecrets.com/data-merging-part-2.php>

hope these links can help you..