HOW TO ACCESS COLUMNS TO TYPE IN PAGES

I'm setting up a document with multiple columns and want to type in each. Can't seem to access each column

MacBook Pro 15″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Aug 12, 2023 3:02 PM

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Posted on Aug 12, 2023 11:26 PM

If you are setting multiple columns in the document body of a word processing document, you won't have immediate 'access' to each of the columns.


Text entered in the Document Body of a single column page of a Pages word processing Document starts at the top left corner of the page, and flows accross and down the page until it gets to the botton of the page, then automatically creates a new page and flows into that page as needed.


In a three column page, the same text starts in the same place, fills the width of the first column, drops to the next line, and repeats that process until the first column is filled. As more text is entered, it continues from the top of the second column. When that one is full, added text continues from the top of the third column, and when that column is filled, Pages creates a new page, and the text continues on that page.


If you are working in a Pages 'Page Layout' document, there is no 'Document Body, and any text used must be placed in a container. The container may be a Text Box, or it could be a Shape, inserted onto the page, or it could be a Table.


Tables can have several Columns (and may have several columns). Data entry (including text) can be placed in any of the cells, and a single cell chan be expanded vertically to contain more text and fill the page as needed.


Expanding a cell vertically expands the height of the row containing that cell, so if you have three columns, with a single cell in each, you will, after increasing the height of one cell, have a table with three cells, each the same height as the other two. Each of those three cells is independent of the other two when it comes to entering text,


That same independence applies to a set of three text boxes placed on a page.


Take a little time to explore the actions suggested here, then, if needed, ask any questions that arise.


Regards,

Barry


1 reply
Question marked as Best reply

Aug 12, 2023 11:26 PM in response to _-MADDANCE-_

If you are setting multiple columns in the document body of a word processing document, you won't have immediate 'access' to each of the columns.


Text entered in the Document Body of a single column page of a Pages word processing Document starts at the top left corner of the page, and flows accross and down the page until it gets to the botton of the page, then automatically creates a new page and flows into that page as needed.


In a three column page, the same text starts in the same place, fills the width of the first column, drops to the next line, and repeats that process until the first column is filled. As more text is entered, it continues from the top of the second column. When that one is full, added text continues from the top of the third column, and when that column is filled, Pages creates a new page, and the text continues on that page.


If you are working in a Pages 'Page Layout' document, there is no 'Document Body, and any text used must be placed in a container. The container may be a Text Box, or it could be a Shape, inserted onto the page, or it could be a Table.


Tables can have several Columns (and may have several columns). Data entry (including text) can be placed in any of the cells, and a single cell chan be expanded vertically to contain more text and fill the page as needed.


Expanding a cell vertically expands the height of the row containing that cell, so if you have three columns, with a single cell in each, you will, after increasing the height of one cell, have a table with three cells, each the same height as the other two. Each of those three cells is independent of the other two when it comes to entering text,


That same independence applies to a set of three text boxes placed on a page.


Take a little time to explore the actions suggested here, then, if needed, ask any questions that arise.


Regards,

Barry


HOW TO ACCESS COLUMNS TO TYPE IN PAGES

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