Tables and columns in StarOffice and OpenOffice.org

In StarOffice 8.0 and OpenOffice.org 2.0 Writer, columns generally divide the page, but they can also be used in sections with different layouts in each section. In either case the text flows down to the bottom of the column and then goes to the top of the next column.

To format a page into columns, choose Format/Page Format which will open a dialogue box that will let you format all aspects of the page, or Format/Columns to just set the number of columns and their spacing. To insert a section, choose Insert/Section to open a dialogue box that will let you format the section into columns, colour its background, and set various other properties of the section.

Another option, if you want to vary the number of columns through a portion of a page, is to place a frame over that part of the page and divide the frame into columns. To insert a Frame, choose Insert/Frame to open the Frame formatting dialog box.

Using a table instead of the a section or frame, separates the text in each column. That is, there is no flow from one column to the next. Tables are like mini-spreadsheets and can perform calculation, link with databases, and have table spanning headings, border and shading independently of the page formatting. Cells within the table can be merged to vary the layout in ways that are not possible with normal columns in a word processing document.

So next time you need to divide portion of a page into columns, consider using a table. Click Table/Insert, design the table in the dialogue box which opens, choosing how many rows and columns you want to start with, auto format if appropriate, click OK and the table will be created. Click inside the table, right click and choose Table from the menu that opens, and you will open another dialogue box in which you can customise borders, shading, text flow and other features of your new table. The same menu also gives access to other formatting that may be relevant to your table, such as cell formatting, number format, text and paragraph formatting, and number recognition.

For free lessons on using OpenOffice.org 2.0, try these from Digital Distribution:

http://www.digitaldistribution.com/about/lessons