setting up SECTIONS in Word

[pblasio]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)

I've created a template in Word, where the first page is different then the rest of the pages. By different, it has it own background image.

I was able to do it by creating SECTIONS.

Here is my delima. My client what's to use the document dynamically and populate the pages via XML. So, if it's only 1 page of content, only 1 page is built. (the first page with the unique background). If 2 or more, then those pages use the other SECTION template (different background then the 1st page).

Since the number of pages needed is unknown until the XML populates the template, in the template I set up, I only want the first page to show. BUT, I'm unable to delete those other pages (page 2) from the template.

Does this make sense? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[macropod]

Hi,

Instead of using a Section break, format the document's page layout to have a 'Different first page' and add your background to the
1st page.

 

[Daiya Mitchell]

Sections are not the right approach here.

To create a background image, you should anchor it in the header/footer.
To have a different image on the first page, put Image 1 in the First
Page Header and Image 2 in the regular header.

Turn on First Page Headers in the header/footer portion of the
Formatting Palette, auto-activates when cursor is in header/footer.

Set up both headers in the template. Then delete the second page. I
*think* Word will remember what is stored in the regular header when a
new multi-page doc is created, but test it.

The technique is detailed here, under multi-page letter.
http://sbarnhill.mvps.org/WordFAQs/Letterhead.htm

 

[pblasio]

Thank you both very much.

macropod, your solution is what I did after I wrote the post. Although, when you create a different first page and add the image to the first page, that image in not part of the header/footer and is 'active'. So, then end user is about to select it and thus mess up the template.

Daiya, I'm working with yours. The link you gave me, the solution for different margins on the first page is a work around. I'll try it and see how it goes.

Thank you both very much for you time and knowledge. Truly appreciated.

 

[macropod]

Hi pblasio,

After setting the document up with a different first page, you should put the image in the first page header.