Why can't I minimize pages to half of my screen.

In the older version of Pages (version with the old icon), I could minimize pages to half of my screen. This proved useful when comparing documents, typing notes, etc. Now, I can only minimize it to 3/4 of the screen, leaving my other window cut off. This forces me to resize it smaller, which gets harder to read...more scrolling involved. Anyways, why did Pages force the minimum size of their window? Is there an app to allow me to resize all my windows, no matter the app? Is there going to be future development re-allowing the minimization of Pages? Thank you!

OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Jan 30, 2014 8:01 AM

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11 replies

Feb 2, 2014 6:34 AM in response to fruhulda

I have the same question. Unfortunately, now that I've done the OSX 10.9.1 upgrade and Pages upgrades, I can't open anything in Pages 09. 😟 It's almost as if Maverick wiped it from my computer. I'm not terribly computer savvy, but there were features I really appreciated in previous OSX versions that have been given the kibosh. If anyone can tell me how this resize can be done; help. If it can't; boo to the new "upgrades"...

Feb 2, 2014 7:41 AM in response to ShazKC

Pages v5 will open a Pages ’09 v4.3 document, but if you make any change, and accept the prompt to convert the document to Pages v5 format, that document will never be read by a prior version of Pages again. Your only recourse is to Export > Pages ’09.


Or, if Pages ’08/’09 still remain in your /Application/iWork location, only use this version for full Pages functionality and interoperability with your existing documents.

Feb 2, 2014 7:45 AM in response to ShazKC

You have 2 versions of Pages on your Mac.


Pages 5 is in your Applications folder.


Pages '09/'08 is in your Applications/iWork folder.


Pages '09/'08 can not open Pages 5 files and you will get the warning that you need a newer version.


Pages 5 can open Pages '09 files but may damage/alter them. It can not open Pages '08 files at all.


Once opened and saved in Pages 5 the Pages '09 files can not be opened in Pages '09.


Anything that is saved to iCloud is also converted to Pages 5 files.


All Pages files no matter what version and incompatibility have the same extension .pages.


Pages 5 files are now only compatible with themselves on a very restricted set of hardware, software and Operating Systems and will not transfer correctly on any other server software than iCloud.


Apple has removed over 90 features from Pages 5 and added many bugs:


http://www.freeforum101.com/iworktipsntrick/viewforum.php?f=22&sid=3527487677f0c 6fa05b6297cd00f8eb9&mforum=iworktipsntrick


Archive/trash Pages 5, after exporting all Pages 5 files to Pages '09 or Word .docx, and rate/review it in the App Store, then get back to work.



Peter

Feb 2, 2014 8:03 AM in response to Paradoxium.

Sometimes, when another person hi-jacks the original post, our attention gets diverted to their issue, and not yours. This is why hi-jacking a post is not encouraged.


The first suggestion to your Pages sizing issue to to just continue using the older Pages version that should remain in /Applications/iWork, where it was moved after the Pages v5 install. The latter lacks over 100 features that you expect from a prior version, and will permanently damage older Pages documents due to its entirely new and incompatible document format.


One of the ways that I was able to manipulate the screen size for Pages v5 is to change the printer output page to Tabloid (or A3) in the Setup > Document > Printer and Paper size setting. Then click the green menubar icon and the application now at 100%, fills half the screen with the format/setup panel collapsed. Larger text results, which is eye friendly. When you are done, change the document settings again to letter(A4), and you return to normal.


Personally, I would prefer using the earlier Pages version, over the above manipulation.

Feb 2, 2014 9:15 AM in response to Paradoxium.

Paradoxium. wrote:


In the older version of Pages (version with the old icon), I could minimize pages to half of my screen. This proved useful when comparing documents, typing notes, etc. Now, I can only minimize it to 3/4 of the screen, leaving my other window cut off. This forces me to resize it smaller, which gets harder to read...more scrolling involved. Anyways, why did Pages force the minimum size of their window? Is there an app to allow me to resize all my windows, no matter the app? Is there going to be future development re-allowing the minimization of Pages? Thank you!


Well the obvious answer is to go back to the previous version, which should still be on your Mac.


I undersatnd what you are saying about the minimum window width. You must have a small screen laptop.


You can however click on the Format icon of both windows which will radically cut down the wasted lateral space taken up by each window, If you are working on one window whilst referencing the other you could close down the Format sidebar for just one, not sure if that saves enough for your needs.


This is such bad, poorly thought out UI especially for users on MacBooks and Mac Airs which seem to be the market Apple is pushing. At a small view the Format sidebar occupies 40% of the screen which is insane.


Peter

Feb 2, 2014 9:44 AM in response to PeterBreis0807

Peter,

Again, thanks for answering Paradoxium's original question, which is the exact same question I had/have...

It is too bad the only solution is returning to Pages 09 because it essentially makes the upgrade redundant.

Sorry if someone (ie: VikingOSX) somewhere along the line thought that by clicking on "I have the same question" option and reiterating the issue was "hijacking" the forum. The answer remains the same: there is no way to reduce the window in Pages 5, you have to go back to Pages 09.

Thanks again for your help.

Dec 23, 2015 6:37 PM in response to Paradoxium.

Hi All,


I was having the same issue with Pages 5.6.1 on my 13" MacBook Pro - not being able to fit 2 document windows side by side, without overlap, for easy comparison/editing.


I got around it by changing the display resolution. In System Preferences I went to Displays and changed the Resolution from Default to Scaled and then chose the More Space option which basically changed the display to the highest resolution. But more importantly it allows 2 Pages windows to be open next to each other with space in-between.


Obviously changing the resolution will be slightly different depending on your machine/OS but basically the same. And you can always easily switch back to your preferred resolution when your done using Pages.


Hope this helps!

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Why can't I minimize pages to half of my screen.

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