Need help with layout - use of tables

[cottonchipper]

I would like some advice on the best way to create a multipage document
containing images and text. I'm thinking that using Word and using
tables would be best, but if there's a better way to do it, please
chime in.

The document will be a guide to collectible matchcovers and contain
mostly just pages and pages of matchcovers and some brief descriptive
words about where they are from. Once I've completed the Word
document, I intend to convert it to PDF so it can be viewed or printed
by the user.

The document will contain full-size images of matchcovers, which are
generally about 4-1/2" to 5" tall and 1-1/2" to 2" wide. I would like
to enclose each image in a box, but sometimes there will be two images
side by side (front and back) in the same box. Underneath the box,
maybe in another box or underneath the image, inside the image's box,
I'll type the name of the location where the matchcover is from.

Since I will be listing the matchcovers in alphabetical order by their
location, I need to be able to insert a matchcover at the front, end or
middle of the document to alphabetize as I go.

My first thought was to create a single column, two-row table and set
the height of the rows, then copy it over and over again, lining up
single column tables next to each other and allowing them to spill down
the page as they became too wide to fit the page. However, I can't
seem to copy the blank table and paste it without pasting it onto the
next page, leaving one table on each page, which is a waste of space.

Should I be making this one large table and inserting new columns? Is
there a way to make the column wrap on the page?

If anybody has any template or tips I would be most appreciative. Or,
if there's another software that would be better suited to the project
and would still allow later conversion to PDF, please feel free to
suggest it.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Some things to think about:

1. If you're going to be alphabetizing manually (not depending on Word to
sort for you), you certainly have a lot more flexibility.

2. This *might* be an application for which Publisher is better suited (if
you have it).

3. A single table is the way to go; you can insert new rows between existing
rows with relative ease; they will be formatted to match existing rows.

4. Putting the images and caption in a single cell will facilitate
maintenance. Format your rows as nonbreaking (uncheck the "Allow rows to
break across pages" box).

5. There are two approaches to wrapping, depending on whether you want the
entries sorted left to right, then down, or top to bottom, then restarting
at the top.

a. For the former, use a multi-column table. You should be able to fit
at least two columns on the page, but with trial and error you can determine
what number of columns works best. I would advise keeping the columns
uniform. It's better to create an orderly appearance even if there is a lot
of white space; consider it room for users to make notes.

b. For the latter, use newspaper-style columns. Your single-column table
will wrap from one column to the next without effort; set the table rows not
to break across pages and they won't break across columns, either.

 

[cottonchipper]

Thanks Suzanne! Using a single table with multicolumn table seems to
work best for me. I appreciate your help.

Mark Cotton