Worksheet format: two numbered columns of jpgs

[ajohn]

I have always had a hard time getting formatting correct in Word. Even when I do, a simple tap of the delete key can create mayhem. So please help!

I am making a worksheet of math questions. I have the questions saved as individual jpgs. I would like to create two columns of questions per page, and each question will have to be numbered.

Can anyone tell me how to accomplish this??

Thanks!

[ajohn]

OK, so I created the two columns, and figured out how to create a numbered list.

But when I import the jpg, the number automatically realigns with the BOTTOM of the jpg instead of the top.

In other words, what I want is this:

1. Blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah
What is the value of x?

Instead I'm getting this:

Blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah
Blah blah blah blah
1. What is the value of x?

By the way, I tried using a text box and got the same results.

[macropod]

Try having two rows per question - one holding the text and the other holding the image.

Other than that, you'll need to reposition the image. Without knowing what wrap formats your images are using, though, I can't give specific advice. If you want more help on that front, it would help if you could attach a document to a post with some representative data (delete anything sensitive). You do this via the paperclip symbol on the 'Go Advanced' tab at the bottom of this screen.

[ajohn]

OK I've attached the doc. I actually figured out the image thing. The wrap formatting solved the problem. I am reformatting the jpgs as "behind text," which allows the numbers in the numbered list to stay where when I import the image.

But this brings up two new questions:

#1. Is there some way to change the picture formatting all at once instead of changing it for each jpg?

#2. Is there a way to align the jpgs freehand, so that I can line up the first line of txt with the number? Right now, it seems that I can only move the images about 1/8 inch at a time.

[macropod]

Your thread title and first post referred to a worksheet, and the second to columns, which would normally imply the use of a table. However, I don't see any tables in your document. All I see is some images of text you could just as easily have typed, in a document with a 2-column layout.

That said, if you use a table, it is quite easy to achieve whatever alignment between the numbers and images you desire. See attached.

[ajohn]

Yes I could have just typed them, but I have thousands of questions, many with graphs and figures that are difficult to recreate. I took them from other worksheets in pdf form that I am trying to reorganize. The reason the sheet I uploaded doesn't have two columns is simply that the version with both columns filled was too big to upload! I deleted jpgs until the doc fit the size limit.

Anyway, if you'll notice, the two columns are at least formatted on the doc I uploaded. I figured out how to add columns and that seemed to solve the problem. But you're suggesting that tables would be better?

How did you accomplish the formatting that you used in the doc you uploaded? I may be missing something obvious, but I couldn't figure it out.

Thanks for your help!

[macropod]

Originally Posted by ajohn

How did you accomplish the formatting that you used in the doc you uploaded? I may be missing something obvious, but I couldn't figure it out.

I simply used a two-column table, without changing your two-column page layout, with the numbers in the left cell and the images in the right cell - formatted as inline. To add more questions, simply go to the last cell and press the TAB key to create a new row.

The reason the sheet I uploaded doesn't have two columns is simply that the version with both columns filled was too big to upload! I deleted jpgs until the doc fit the size limit

I dramatically reduced the file size by allowing Word to compress the images.

[ajohn]

Ok that's working great. It's especially helpful not to have to reformat the jpg every time.

Two new problems, though: I forgot to mention that there will be some text boxes with instructions scattered throughout the worksheet. Please see attached for an example.

The way I did it on the sample doc works fine until I try to create a two-column table in the second column. Then everything jumps all around, magically repositioning itself nowhere near where I want it.

1) Is there a way to incorporate these instruction boxes into the column structure? (The potential problem I see is that I want an outline around the instruction box as shown, but not the rest of the tables.)

2) How do you create the tables in the second column? Copy paste didn't work for me (just added cells to the existing table) & adding a table on the right, as I mentioned, automatically and for no apparent reason repositioned the text box intended for the left-hand column into the right-hand column.

[macropod]

You could insert your instructions into the same table, instead of into a textbox. All you'd need to do is to merge the two cells for that row and add a border to it. The alternative is to split the table at the appropriate point and position the textbox in the gap.

You don't need to create a separate table for the second column. As soon as you have more rows than will fit in the left column, Word will start using the second column. If, however, you want to use the full page-width all the time, you have two options, depending on whether you want a down-then across layout of an across then down layout. For the former, all you need do is to insert a Section break following the table, with the following Section formatted as a single column. For the latter, you'd need to use at least a 4-column table, with a pair of narrow columns and a pair of wide columns. If you want more space between the entries, you might also insert an empty column between the left & right sets.

[ajohn]

Hey macropod, thanks for your help. Had to step away for a minute, but hopefully I can get back to making some progress.

1) It seems a bit more intuitive for me to use text boxes for the instructions. I tried using the table as it was, but had some difficulty. I was able to merge the cells, but couldn't figure out how to format just that one box with a border and different margins. But it may turn out that the issues below are most easily resolved by the table method….

2) Attached is an example with text box instructions. The text box takes up over half of the first column. The problem I'm having is, when I add a new question to the bottom of the first column (one that is too large to be accommodated in that column), the table doesn't automatically bounce over to the second column, as I had hoped. Instead, the table either A) pushes up into the space occupied by the text box or B) bounces ALL questions in that column over to some random location in the second column.

Currently B is happening, but A was happening for a while, and I have no idea what I did to make it change. But if you get a chance to look at the attached sample, you'll see that I've left row #3 without a question jpg. If you want you can copy and paste one of the other jpgs to see what's happening. (Btw, I've also outlined the tables…)

There must be some way to tell the table to stay put? Or would it be better to take on the formatting issues within the table and just do everything inside the table?

I do have to say, I have no idea why this is so difficult and it is EXTREMELY frustrating! Grateful for your assistance thus far.

[macropod]

Your issues are caused by a number of factors. First and foremost, you changed the table's wrap format from 'None' to 'Around'. That means it won't respect the document's column structure.

You've coupled that with a Section break after the table which, combined with the change in wrap format, accounts for it moving around when you add more rows.

All you needed to do to create the instructions row was to tell Word to insert a new row above the first row, then merge the cells on that row. You would then have a cell into which you could insert the instructions. Since I don't have Mac Word, I can't tell you which sequence of commands to use for this. However, see attached. I've also inserted another merged row between a dummy Question 3 (merely a replica of Question 2) and a new Question 4.

An alternative approach for the instructions would be to have a Section breaks before the table, and format that section as a single column. That way the instructions could occupy the full page width and would occur visually above any of the questions. To do that, simply split the table, select the first row, then change the selection's layout to one column and adjust the table's column width for that Section. I'll leave it to you to decide which format you prefer.

[ajohn]

Hey macropod, thanks for all the help! The format is working perfectly. This week I put together two 80-90 question worksheets, and there's no way I could have done that without your help.

I attached a sample of the format. I kept the column format for the instruction tables. I split the table for the instruction box so I can format it separately. Also splitting the table gave me pretty much the exact spacing that I wanted between the instruction boxes and the questions, so that's one fewer thing to worry about. I've recently discovered that you can format individual cells separately from the rest of the table, and I've successfully changed the margins of just one cell. Can you also outline just one cell/ merged row?

To be honest, though, I have found some inconveniences of splitting off the header. For one, is there a way to put a table back together once you split it?

Also what's your general take on splitting the table for the instructions vs. keeping everything in the same table?

I used your format to construct a "Wrong Answer" form, which is also attached. The format is, again, ideal, but there is one small issue. If you take a look, you'll see that the text is not lining up with the question # (on this form I'm typing in text, rather than dragging in jpgs.) I'm sure it's a simple fix, but can you tell what's happening?

This format is so much better than any format I could have come up with on my own. I can create, add, or delete questions with no problem. It's fairly easy to reorganize questions (although I could use a tip or two on how to move whole sections/ tables around.) And the best thing is that the numbering happens automatically correctly every time. Thanks again! I would recommend this to anyone looking to format a worksheet.

[macropod]

Originally Posted by ajohn

I've recently discovered that you can format individual cells separately from the rest of the table, and I've successfully changed the margins of just one cell. Can you also outline just one cell/ merged row?

I'm not sure what you mean by outlining here. Certainly, you can apply whatever borders you want to a single cell or row - including only around a row as a whole (i.e. no internal borders).

Originally Posted by ajohn

To be honest, though, I have found some inconveniences of splitting off the header. For one, is there a way to put a table back together once you split it?

When you split a table, Word inserts a paragraph break between the two parts. Deleting that paragraph break re-joins the table.

Originally Posted by ajohn

Also what's your general take on splitting the table for the instructions vs. keeping everything in the same table?

My personal preference would be to have the instructions span the full page width above the two columns containing the questions. IMHO that gives a more pleasing layout. Makes little difference as far as Word is concerned.

Originally Posted by ajohn

I used your format to construct a "Wrong Answer" form, which is also attached. The format is, again, ideal, but there is one small issue. If you take a look, you'll see that the text is not lining up with the question # (on this form I'm typing in text, rather than dragging in jpgs.) I'm sure it's a simple fix, but can you tell what's happening?

Indeed, it's quite simple - your numbers have a paragraph format that includes a 6pt-before spacing, whereas the second column doesn't. Make them both the same and they'll align.