How do I get a different number of columns on different pages?

Question

Level 1

67 points

How do I get a different number of columns on different pages?

This one has been driving me batty for a while, and I finally gave up looking and decided to ask: If I want two columns on page one, and one column on page two... How?

I know how to create a section break, and I've done that. But when I go to the new section and change the columns, the columns change across the entire document.

I have Googled, read Apple's support, and I am just not seeing it. Either I am searching on the wrong terms or this is counterintuitive (or just plain impossible--one of the features Apple removed when updating?).

If someone can walk me through it or tell me to stop trying and just use Microsoft Word (SHUDDER) I would much appreciate the help.

BTW, Pages is at 5.5.1.

Posted on Nov 28, 2014 8:04 AM

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Answer 1

HD

Level 5

4,945 points

Nov 28, 2014 8:27 AM in response to ZoeMacUser

Hi Zoe,

It it can be done, but the help files are no help beyond suggesting that it is possible and to my mind it is pretty counterintuitive.

You have to select some of the text in the section or page that you want to change. Once you've done that, you can change the number of columns on one page and it won't modify the number of columns on the other.

Hope this helps.

H

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Answer 2

ZoeMacUser Author

Level 1

67 points

Nov 28, 2014 8:29 AM in response to HD

BRILLIANT. Thanks.

And yeah, very very counterintuitive. Not what I expect from Apple.

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Answer 3

Nov 28, 2014 2:28 PM in response to HD

Actually to directly select text and change its attributes eg multiple columns is quite intuitive, just that you are not used to it.

And I believe it is in the Help file, it is one of the very few improvements in Pages 5, although it lacks the Layout indents possible in Pages '09 which makes it still the superior version.

Peter

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Answer 4

ZoeMacUser Author

Level 1

67 points

Nov 28, 2014 3:43 PM in response to PeterBreis0807

Hmmm... On the one hand, yes, I can see that. It depends on whether you think of columns as a matter of page layout or text formatting. I normally think of them as belonging to the former category, whereas things like bold, underline, indent, all belong to the latter. In the case of the latter you highlight text and apply changes. If you think of columns as being part of the formatting of text, then it is completely logical.

And yes, I'm still reeling from Apple's de-evolution of Pages a while ago.

Thanks again!

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Answer 5

Nov 28, 2014 6:29 PM in response to ZoeMacUser

Not defending the lobotomising of Pages 5, but text formatting includes indents, tabs, before and after spacing, widows and orphans.

Section, Page, Column and Layout breaks are just part of the text.

Columns are just another form of margin indents, seems a good step to do what Apple has done, just I would like the indents back as well and columns within columns as a logical extension of the idea.

Peter

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