Defining Columns
Depending on the page size and column width you specify for a document, you
can create as many as ten text columns (for example, in a standard letter size with
landscape orientation). The space between the columns is called the gutter.
When you type in a column and reach the end of the column, text automatically
flows to the next column as you type. To change where a column breaks, follow the
instructions in “Defining Column Breaks” on page 51.
When you want to vary the number or appearance of columns at some point in a
document, create a new layout. See “Defining Layout Breaks” on page 51 for instructions.
To format a document into multiple columns:
1
Click Inspector in the toolbar, click the Layout button, click Layout, and then specify the
number of columns you want in the Columns field.
To type a number in the Columns field, place the insertion point inside a text area in
your document, type the number in the Columns field, and then press Return.
2
To adjust the width of all columns, double-click any value in the Column list and type a
new number.
To adjust the space between each column, double-click any value in the Gutter list and
type a new number.
3
To specify different widths for the columns, deselect “Equal column width.”
To adjust the width of a specific column, double-click its value in the Column list and
type a new number. To adjust the space between adjacent columns, double-click a
value in the Gutter list and type a new number.
4
In a word processing document, to adjust the space around the outside margins of
columns, specify new values in the Left, Right, Before, and After fields.
Layout margins are not adjustable in a page layout document.
5
In a word processing document, to move columns to the top of the next page, select
“Layout starts on new page.”
You can’t select “Layout starts on new page” in a page layout document.
50
Chapter 3
Working with Document Parts
Chapter 3
Working with Document Parts
51
6
To quickly modify column width and spacing, use the document ruler. Click View in the
toolbar, and then choose Show Rulers. Drag the left or right edges of the gray gutter
areas in the horizontal ruler.
The white areas in the ruler
denote the text area within
columns.
The gray areas denote the
column gutters.
Note: To quickly create as many as four columns, click the Columns pop-up menu in
the format bar and choose the number of columns you want to use.