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Multiple columns table of contents

On my Pages document I have two introduction-type pages (each with the one column setting) and then the table of contents (TOC) on page 3, which is set to two columns. Unfortunately, when the first column of the TOC reaches the bottom of the page, it does not wrap around to the top of page 3 to continue into the second column . . . . instead that single column continues into page 4, leaving the second column of page 3 blank. How do I get the TOC to wrap around to column two on page 3? Many thanks.

MacBook Air (2020 or later)

Posted on Jun 20, 2022 10:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jun 20, 2022 11:31 AM

NOT TESTED. Make a copy of your document, then use that copy as the 'original' for the processes below.


The TOC that is automatically created in Pages is a single column TOC, and can't be changed to a two column format.

The steps below will replace that TOC with either a set of images of the TOC and its title OR the text of the TOC, which can then be edited and formatted to suit the space you have available.


Links from the TOC to the starting page of each item will not be carried to the image or text versions.


You could try either of these workarounds:


Construct the TOC in the usual manner, but using a two column page. The TOC will extend to a second page, as you've described. You may need to adjust the bottom margin of the first page to make the body of the TOC the same height on both pages.


When all is complete, and no further editing of the contents of the TOC will be needed, choose one of the two options below:


1.

  • Take three screen shots:
    • The TOC title at the top of the first page.
    • The body of the TOC that is on the first page.
    • The body of the TOC that is on the second page.
  • Insert a page after the TOC page.
  • Paste the three screen shots onto the new page and arrange them as needed.
  • Set the images to Stay on Page.



OR


2.

  • Copy and Paste
    • Test run:
      • Select the title and the contents of the TOC.
      • Copy.
      • Open a new Pages document.
    • in the new document:
      • go to the Edit menu and choose Paste and Match Style
      • Change the Layout below the title to two columns
      • IF this results in the TOC title and contents being pasted into the new document as text, and allows it to adopt the new 2 column layout for the TOC list, you should also be able to paste it onto a new page in the original document with the same result.


Regards,

Barry




1 reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Jun 20, 2022 11:31 AM in response to ccapone

NOT TESTED. Make a copy of your document, then use that copy as the 'original' for the processes below.


The TOC that is automatically created in Pages is a single column TOC, and can't be changed to a two column format.

The steps below will replace that TOC with either a set of images of the TOC and its title OR the text of the TOC, which can then be edited and formatted to suit the space you have available.


Links from the TOC to the starting page of each item will not be carried to the image or text versions.


You could try either of these workarounds:


Construct the TOC in the usual manner, but using a two column page. The TOC will extend to a second page, as you've described. You may need to adjust the bottom margin of the first page to make the body of the TOC the same height on both pages.


When all is complete, and no further editing of the contents of the TOC will be needed, choose one of the two options below:


1.

  • Take three screen shots:
    • The TOC title at the top of the first page.
    • The body of the TOC that is on the first page.
    • The body of the TOC that is on the second page.
  • Insert a page after the TOC page.
  • Paste the three screen shots onto the new page and arrange them as needed.
  • Set the images to Stay on Page.



OR


2.

  • Copy and Paste
    • Test run:
      • Select the title and the contents of the TOC.
      • Copy.
      • Open a new Pages document.
    • in the new document:
      • go to the Edit menu and choose Paste and Match Style
      • Change the Layout below the title to two columns
      • IF this results in the TOC title and contents being pasted into the new document as text, and allows it to adopt the new 2 column layout for the TOC list, you should also be able to paste it onto a new page in the original document with the same result.


Regards,

Barry




Multiple columns table of contents

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