#1
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Columns or tables?
I have MS Word 2007. I need to write a 50-page formal document that follows a certain format. That format is 2-column, however, if a graphic needs more room, I want to change to one column, then back to two. This condition may happen often in the document. In addition, we have a page limit, so we want to use as much page space as possible, yet still look professional. I know that I could use section breaks, but not sure of what kind to use. I know that some folks on this forum suggest using table layouts for two columns. Would that be a better solution? I'm building a new template and will have others helping to build the document, so whatever solution I find needs to be clearly explained and easy to use.
Any suggestions? |
#2
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Hi Linda,
The two-column layout allows text from one column to flow to the next. You can't do that with tables. For graphics larger than a column width, you can simply change their layout to square. This will cause the text in the adjoining column to wrap around the graphic. This sort of adjustment should be done once the editing is completed, and started from the top of the document. That minimises problems you might otherwise encounter with graphics repositioning themselves where you don't expect them to be. Alternatively, you can use a continuous section break eaither side of the graphic and format it's section as a single column.
__________________
Cheers, Paul Edstein [Fmr MS MVP - Word] |
#3
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thanks so much
Appreciate the reply! Will try it later today.
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#4
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The idea of trying a 50-page publication in 2-columns, with graphics, makes me shudder. If you have Microsoft Office on your computer, could be worth checking out Publisher. In Publisher, you can draw text boxes to serve as your columns on one page. You can link the text boxes so text will flow. You can leave a blank page on your list of pages and duplicate it with content every time you need a new page. The text boxes are completely independent of each other except for how you choose to flow the text. That means if you want to resize each box a little or a lot on one page, it's as simple as one click and drag with no worries about changing the size of anything you didn't select.
Under certain circumstances, Word can get real stubborn when managing columns. Publisher is super flexible in this regard. In general, if you want something to look like a book or a magazine, Publisher is tooled better for those projects than Word. Word is more for papers and reports - in my opinion. Last edited by BrazzellMarketing; 01-11-2011 at 05:26 PM. Reason: spelling |
#5
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Maybe so, but Word is quite capable of handling such documents.
__________________
Cheers, Paul Edstein [Fmr MS MVP - Word] |
#6
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thanks to all who responded. Publisher sounds nice, but it's moot. We don't have it. I am figuring things out little by little as I build a new template to house all the specifics we need to address. This forum is certainly great! And, each tip you have shared is valued! Best wishes, Linda O
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#7
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In that case, you're on the right track with everything Macropod said. I wouldn't recommend buying Publisher unless you're going to be laying out magazines, books, or calendars for desktop publishing on a regular basis. In addition to the advanced layout properties for images that Macropod described, (if you don't already know), keep in mind that individual text boxes can be laid out with those same properties. That may help with call outs and nifty features to break up the 50 pages of body text.
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1 & 2 columns in same doc |
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