# Run a campaign

Generate every format for a campaign from your master, in InDesign, Figma or Canva.

Pick a campaign, tick the brands, and let Mestra build every format from your master.

> **Before you start:**
>
> - You need the **Editor** or **Owner** role. Viewers can't start runs.
> - Install the Mestra app for your design tool and sign in. See [Install](https://withmestra.com/docs/install/indesign/).
> - Set up at least one brand and one campaign. See [Set up a brand](https://withmestra.com/docs/how-to/set-up-a-brand/).
> - Check the master first. InDesign needs the master document open, with no missing or modified links, all fonts installed, and the same ruler units (px, mm or pt) both ways.

1. In the web app, open **Setup** > **Campaigns**, then select **New campaign**. Skip this if the campaign already exists.
2. A new campaign needs a **Key** first. It is a short id, shown above the cards. Use letters, numbers, dots, dashes and underscores, up to 64 characters, starting with a letter or number. Then, in the **Campaign** card, enter the **Name**, choose the **Format set**, and switch on each of the **Brands** it covers. Add the copy in the **Copy** card, then select **Save**. **Save** is the same for a new and an existing campaign. It is off until you change something, and "Saved." shows after.
3. Open your master in the design app:
   - **InDesign:** open the master document. Mestra uses page 1.
   - **Figma:** select the master frame, a top-level frame.
   - **Canva:** open the master page.
4. Open the Mestra app and sign in. **InDesign or Figma:** select **Sign in**. In the browser, choose your organisation and select **Allow**. **Canva:** an owner links your Canva team once. See [Connect Canva](https://withmestra.com/docs/install/canva/).
5. Choose your **Campaign**.
6. Tick the brands to build. The plugins label this list **Centres**.
7. Start the run:
   - **InDesign:** select **Generate formats**, then choose a folder to save into.
   - **Figma:** select **Generate {n} formats · {m} centres**.
   - **Canva:** select **Read master**, then **Generate**.
8. Watch the progress. Each format moves through Planning, Building, Checking, Exporting and Reviewing. Select **Cancel** to stop. Formats not yet planned don't count; formats already planned do.
9. When the run settles, read each format's status: **Built**, **Reviewed**, **Needs a look** or **Failed**.

Each ticked brand is its own run. A campaign with three brands and eight formats builds 24 formats. Mestra counts a format once, when its layout is planned successfully. A failed format isn't counted.

## If something goes wrong

| You see                                                                                          | What to do                                                                                                        |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| "Open the master document first." (InDesign)                                                     | Open the document, then try again.                                                                                |
| "Preflight failed:" followed by a missing link or font                                           | Fix the link or install the font, then start again.                                                               |
| "Select a master frame" (Figma)                                                                  | Select one top-level frame.                                                                                       |
| "Tick a centre."                                                                                 | Tick at least one brand.                                                                                          |
| "This campaign has no formats"                                                                   | Add a format set with formats to the campaign.                                                                    |
| "Your role (viewer) can't start runs."                                                           | Ask an owner to make you an Editor. See [Invite your team](https://withmestra.com/docs/how-to/invite-your-team/). |
| "Your trial has ended. Subscribe on the Billing page to keep making formats."                    | An owner needs to subscribe. See [Plans and billing](https://withmestra.com/docs/how-to/plans-and-billing/).      |
| "This run would go over your monthly overage cap. Raise the cap or upgrade on the Billing page." | An owner raises the cap or upgrades.                                                                              |
| "A run is in progress - wait for it to finish."                                                  | Wait, or cancel the running run.                                                                                  |
| **Failed** on one format                                                                         | Select **Try again** under it.                                                                                    |

The full list of messages is in the app.

## What's next

- [Fix a flagged format](https://withmestra.com/docs/how-to/fix-a-flagged-format/) when a format says **Needs a look**.
- [Export and hand off](https://withmestra.com/docs/how-to/export-and-hand-off/) to get the files out.
- [Masters, formats and runs](https://withmestra.com/docs/concepts/masters-formats-runs/) explains what each step does.