Help! Need to make a 2 column template?

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Level 1

85 points

Help! Need to make a 2 column template?

Hi all,
I bought iWork 08. I want to use Pages to take notes at church. I need to make a template that has a column on the left for scripture numbers, and a column on the right side to write notes for the scripture numbers on the left column. I need it to be where when I am writing notes on the right side column, it will all stay on the right, regardless of how many sentences there are. Then when I add another scripture number on the left column, I can again go to the right column and do the same thing. Write scripture number on left, write sentences and notes on the right for each scripture number. I know it should be easy to do this, but I can't figure out how to do it in Pages?

powerbook G4, Mac OS X (10.5.1), iLife08, iWork08

Posted on Jan 6, 2008 9:54 PM

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Answer 1

Jan 6, 2008 10:21 PM in response to thomjw

If you don't mind having each scripture number start on a new page you can do this by telling your document to use two columns.

If you want to be able to start a new scripture number without starting a new page, you can use text boxes or a table. I'd recommend a table.

Text Columns Method:

1. Open a new blank document.
2. Click the Columns icon on the formatting bar. It's on the right side, second button from the right. Or open the Inspector, choose the Layout Inspector, click the Layout button and type "2" in the Columns box.
3. To start a new column open the Insert menu and choose Column Break.
4. Save the document AS a template.

Table Method:

1. Open a new blank document.
2. Insert a table. The default table is 3 columns wide. Delete one column.
3. Resize the columns as needed. Remove borders if desired.
4. Use the tab key to move from column to column.
5. When you reach the end of the table, the tab key will add a new row.
6. Save the document AS a template.

My vote is for the table method.

Good luck,

Terry

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Answer 2

Walt K

Level 4

2,946 points

Jan 6, 2008 10:44 PM in response to thomjw

If you want your comments in the one column to always stay aligned with another column you can use a table.

Insert a table that is set (in the Wrap Inspector) to Moves With Text. This will allow the table to continue on to additional pages as needed. Also be sure Automatically resize to fit content is checked in the Table Inspector.

The table will be inserted with 3 columns and a header. Keep or discard the header as desired. Resize the outer columns to the width you want but narrow the middle column (to about a half inch) so that it separates the outer columns. You will type in the outer columns, the center column will be the space between the text. (The gutter.) Create additional rows as needed. (If you will be creating additional files, stop here and save as a Template.)

Don’t worry about the cell borders at this point.

When you want to start a new pair, use the down arrow to move to the next cell below.

Now, in the right-hand column, type your comments opposite the pertinent cell in the left column.

As you work on and edit your copy, the cell-pairs will stay aligned: The comments in the right column with the referenced copy in the left column. This will stay true even if you resize either or both of the columns.

Optional: When you finish, click and select the table and in the Table inspector click on the Stroke drop down menu and choose None. This will hide the cell borders but leave light lines for reference. These won’t print.

When you near the bottom of the page you will need to use the down arrow to jump to the cells on the next page because the current cell won’t expand to the next page.

Hope this works for you.

Walt

(I hadn't noticed that Terry had posted while I was preparing my post. But we agree, a table is the way to go.)

Message was edited by: Walt K

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