Two Independent Columns

[poetrydaze]

Hi. I'm new to Word. I'd like to make two INDEPENDENT columns on a page.
It is for a TV NEWS script. The directions are written in the left column--
the script is written in the right column.

These columns need to continue for several pages and be saved as one
document.

The key is the columns must function independently of each other so an
editor can make changes to either column.

Could anyone tell me how to do it? I would be eternally grateful!! Thanks,
poetrydaze

 

[CyberTaz]

You don't really want *Columns*, you want a 2-Column Table. The default
borders can be removed if you'd prefer.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[poetrydaze]

Thanks CyberTaz. I'm afraid I'm so new to this that I haven't a clue what
you mean.

Could you walk me through it? What is the step by step to make this happen?
Thanks so much. Poetrydaze

 

[Doug Robbins - Word MVP]

What version of Word?

If it's word 2007, from the Insert tab of the Ribbon, click on the Table
icon and a grid will appear on which you can drag to select as many columns
and rows as you want, though one row will be enough for the moment. If you
had selected two columns by one row, when you release the mouse key, a one
row, two column table will be inserted into the document.

In earlier versions, I think that there is a similar facility on the Tables
menu.

After inserting the table, click inside the first cell and press Ctrl+Alt+u
and the borders of the table will disappear (though for now, you might want
to leave them there so that you can see where you are, or alternatively,
after removing the borders, you can select an option in the Word 2007 Table
Tools/Layout or earlier versions Tables menu to show the grid lines)

Type your text in the appropriate columns.

To add a new row, with the selection in the second column, press the tab
key. If you want to insert a tab, hold down the Ctrl key and press the tab
key.

--
Hope this helps.

Please reply to the newsgroup unless you wish to avail yourself of my
services on a paid consulting basis.

Doug Robbins - Word MVP, originally posted via msnews.microsoft.com

 

[poetrydaze]

Thanks Doug. Between you guys I think I have my answer and I'm so grateful.
I have a mac and currently use Pages-- but it won't do this. Believe me,
I've spent plenty of time in the forums on the Apple site figuring that out.

So I'm going to go out today and buy the home/ student version of Office for
mac. I'm guessing it will work as you indicate. Do you know? Thank you so
much.

poetrydaze

 

[CyberTaz]

Well, I'm not looking to bankrupt MS but Pages definitely will allow you
to create Tables. See Pages Help on the topic: Working with Tables. I don't
know exactly how much latitude you have with the formatting as I really
don't *use* Pages, but I'd definitely check it out before investing in Mac
Office unless you have other reasons to do so.

Office:Mac 2008 will definitely do as Doug suggested but the Mac version of
Office doesn't employ the Ribbon UI. It uses the "classic" UI of menus &
toolbars you're already familiar with ‹ similar to what you have in Pages &
most other Mac & PC apps other than 2007.

You should find all the info you need in Word Help on tables but if you need
any specific questions you can post to the microsoft.public.mac.office.word
newsgroup which is also available via Mactopia's Forums:

http://www.officeformac.com/ProductForums/

If you go on to use Pages & need assistance you can go through the Apple
Discussions Forums on iWork by way of:

http://discussions.apple.com/index.jspa

Good Luck |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[poetrydaze]

Thank you both so very much. I really appreciate all your help!

poetrydaze