Column continuing over multiple pages

[Barb]

Using Word 97 Columns. This is what I need: Column begins
on page 1 and is 2 lines long (using as a heading), then
insert column break to begin body of document. I want the
body of the document to continue over multiple pages in
2nd column without moving back to first column until I
insert the next column break.

Any ideas?

 

[Jonathan West]

Hi Barb

Don't use columns for this, use a 1-row, two column table. Put the heading
in the first cell, the body text in the second.

--
Regards
Jonathan West - Word MVP
MultiLinker - Automated generation of hyperlinks in Word
Conversion to PDF & HTML
http://www.multilinker.com

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Columns are not the right approach for this, nor is even a table. Just make
a wide left margin and apply a negative left indent to your heading style.
If you want it to wrap short of the left margin, set a right indent. Or you
could put your heading in a frame.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.mvps.org/word
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Barb]

Hi Johnathan

I would rather use tables here, but would need to use
multiple rows between the row with the heading.

Here's additional information: I'm creating rtf files
which contain code surrounded by "IF" conditions. I use
different "IF" conditions around headings and body text
(mostly questions followed by answers. I use "keep with
next" to keep question text with answer text, but do not
keep answer text together (answer text can be 75+ lines
long--if I use tables, the answer text will need to appear
in a separate row). The text that meets the IF condition
must automatically align with the header text. The first
q/a that aligns in the row with the heading will not
always meet the "IF" condition.

Any ideas how I can use multiple table rows and have the
first q/a text that meets "IF" condition align with Heading
(even if 4 -10 rows below Heading cell)? [I prefer not to
use text boxes for headings because the rtf will be
updated by inexperienced users (another good reason for
tables!) and I've found them unstable.]

Or any idea how I can use "keep with next" on some text
within a table cell, and not other text within the same
cell using Word 97? This would allow using a one row-2
column table!!

Thank you for your additional ideas!!

 

[Barb]

Hi Suzanne,

Would you see my reply to Johnathon? My headings need to
wrap several lines on the left and the top of the heading
must align with the top of the text. Because I use the rtf
files to generate document output, I do not want to use
text boxes or frames due to instability (I use Word 97).

Thanks for your response!!

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

If you're opposed to frames, then a table is the way to go. But if you
define a frame as part of a paragraph style, it is quite easy to use, and
I'm not aware of any inherent instability. Word has much more of a problem
with very long tables, so I'd advise taking every possible opportunity to
split the table.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.mvps.org/word
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.

 

[Barb]

I've anchored frames, but never defined a frame as part of
a paragraph style. I have created and modified styles. I'm
willing to give it a try! Would you explain how to add a
frame to a style?

The body text placement must begin at 3" (with Headings
running from 1"-2.7"). As I understand, I would set my
left margin at 3". Where would the style be applied to get
the frame into the left margin? The style/data would need
to be positioned before the body text for the splits and
conditions to work correctly, while the headings (when
meeting conditions) and body text (whatever meets
condition) is top aligned.

This is such great help! Thanks for sharing your
knowledge!!

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Well, here's how I would do it. Assuming that you're using Heading 1 for
your headings (but of course this would apply to any style):

1. Set your left margin to 3".

2. Insert a paragraph in Heading 1 style.

3. Select the paragraph and Insert | Frame (you can use the button on the
Forms toolbar).

4. Drag the frame into the left margin; position and size it roughly. Don't
worry too much about the size or position, as you'll fine-tune that in a
later step.

5. Format | Borders and Shading and choose None (or click the No Border
button on the Borders palette on the Formatting toolbar).

6. Right-click on the hashed frame border and click Format | Frame.

7. In the Frame dialog, set the Width to 1.7" and leave the Height at Auto.
Set the Horizontal position as 1" relative to Page. Leave the Vertical
position at 0" relative to Paragraph.

8. Exit the dialog and update the Heading 1 style. The frame becomes part of
the style definition.

Whenever you want to insert a framed heading, just apply Heading 1 style
(using the built-in shortcuts as desired). You'll get a framed heading
anchored to a new paragraph (which Word will create) or to the next
paragraph in existing text.

A couple of caveats:

1. If you have Space Before the Heading 1 style (as you most likely will),
you'll need to add the same amount of space to the text beside it. It's not
unusual to have a different style (flush left as opposed to indented)
following a heading, so this is not really an issue; just set the regular
body text style as the style to follow the special one.

2. If the heading appears at the top of a page, its Space Before will be
suppressed, but that of its accompanying paragraph will not be; so you'd
need a style (perhaps the ordinary body text style) without Space Before to
use there.

A little fiddly, and perhaps more trouble than it's worth in this instance,
but it's a technique worth knowing about.

--
Suzanne S. Barnhill
Microsoft MVP (Word)
Words into Type
Fairhope, Alabama USA
Word MVP FAQ site: http://www.mvps.org/word
Email cannot be acknowledged; please post all follow-ups to the newsgroup so
all may benefit.