Word Column Problems

[Bob Henry]

Sometimes, not always, when I create two columns out of text in a document,
text that should be in the middle of the first column ends up at top of the
second column. If I copy the text that is out of place to where it should
be, other text from the middle of the first column is moved to the top of the
second column.

Please, can anyone help me.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Is this because the columns are balanced? Or because too much text is
formatted as "Keep with next" and/or "Keep lines together"?

 

[Bob Henry]

I have a 54-page document which I want to put in two columns. Randomly, or
so it seems, several lines of text that should be in the middle of a
paragraph in the first column will appear at the top of the second column. I
have not changed any settings such as "Keep with next" or Keep lines
together" that I know of; they are all at default.

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Are you saying that the lines of text move to a point where they are out of
order or just that they move to the second column prematurely? If the
columnar section ends in a Continuous section break, the columns are
balanced by default (you can change this in the Compatibility Options),
which might account for what you're seeing, or it could be the "Widow/orphan
control" if the paragraphs are short (two or three lines).

 

[Bob Henry]

Yes, they are totally out of order. If I copy them from the top of the
second column and insert them into the proper spot in the middle of the first
column, then other text moves out of the middle of the first column and goes
to the top of the second column. I know, I don't believe it either, but that
is what happens.

Bob Henry

 

[Suzanne S. Barnhill]

Send me a sample of the problem doc, and I'll have a look.