Multiple columns in Writer

users
#1

I would like to divide my page into two independently controlled columns. Creating columns is easy enough to do. However, I want the text in each column to start at the top of each column. Think of two lists that are independent of each other, column 2 is NOT simply a continuation of column 1. Two different teams of players for example. A list of red parts, and blue parts. Whatever.

I know that I can hit enter 30 times or so in the first column in order to start the text at the top of the second column, but I was hoping there was a smarter way, such that (for example) I can simply place my cursor in column 2 and start typing at the top, without needing to have anything in column 1.

Example:

Column 1 Column 2
------------- -----------------
xyz 123

Simple in concept... not so simple to make happen in Writer.

Thank you in advance.

- Andrew

#2

Instead of columns, use frames - which can contain columns, should you wish.
Frames are highly configurable, and would be useful for laying out newsletters because one can control where overflow text appears (which frame). e.g. an article may start in a frame on the first page but finish in a frame on the back page.

#3

I would like to divide my page into two independently controlled columns. Creating columns is easy enough to do. However, I want the text in each column to start at the top of each column. Think of two lists that are independent of each other, column 2 is NOT simply a continuation of column 1. [...]

I know that I can hit enter 30 times or so in the first column in order to start the text at the top of the second column, but I was hoping there was a smarter way, ...

You can get to the top of a new column very simply and neatly by going to Insert | Manual Break... | Type | Column break. But that still doesn't really serve your purpose, since although you talk of a single page, your text might eventually want to expand to multiple pages. In that case, text from the left column would flow into the right column on the first page, not the left column on the second; text from the right column on the first page to the left column, not the right column, of the second. These are called "newspaper columns".

Simple in concept... not so simple to make happen in Writer.

Actually, it is very simple. Go to Table | Insert > | Table... and create a table with two columns and (probably) one row. You will find that the table cells expand as necessary to accommodate your text - even to additional pages - and that the two columns will remain independent.

I trust this helps.

Brian Barker

#4

And, for those of us who find using menus to be a major inconvenience compared to keyboard shortcuts, The Insert ... Manual Break ... Type ... Column Break can be accomplished with Ctrl-Shift-Enter.

Nothing to add to the rest of the comments!

Dave

#5

Hi :slight_smile:
I think frames are more flexible than "cells in a table". Tabs are
easier in a frame.

Frames can be moved around and/or resized independently of each other.
It's easier to link multiple frames together to let contents flow
better between frames on different pages )or even frames on the same
page).

I've always gone with table-cells myself because i've usually only
needed short columns, such as for the addresses at the top of a letter
= and i'm more unfamiliar with frames.
Regards from
Tom :slight_smile: