Writer: Different Text Column Setttings on Different Pages?

[E.T.Smith]

I’m writing a document that’s generally formatted into two text columns, but occasionally I need to set a page to single-column for the sake of a table or graphic. How do I do this? The default column selection changes the entire document, without an option to specify just one seperate from others.

Note, I put reasonable effort into searching for the solution in the in-application help resources, but rather frustratingly any attempt to search for “columns” keeps directing me to table formatting, not page text.

[ajlittoz]

When you need to temporarily change the general layout in a page for a limited extent (meaning you revert to your previous layout), think of sections.

Put your cursor where you want to switch from 2-column to 1-column layout. Insert>Section and set the properties of the new section (number of columns, gutter width, margins at left and right – these are independent from paragraph indents–, background, …). Click OK.

As a convenience, type an empty paragraph and switch immediately to your previous layout with Insert>Section again, because it is not so handy to do it afterwards.

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[mikekaganski]

I’m not sure if you can switch to 1-column layout using sections on a 2-column layout defined at page style level. At least I see a “1-column” section inserted into one of page columns.

But if you create a (2-column) section from the beginning, then you can insert a 1-column section in the middle in relatively easy 1-step way: add several empty paragraphs below the point where you need 1-columnar layout, then select 1 paragraph above ans then insert 1-column section.

[ajlittoz]

@mikekaganski is right: a section is always inserted inside a column in the present layout. Consequently, start the other way round with a 1-column layout (your temporary setting) and insert 2-column sections everywhere for your “common” text.

[petermau]

The number of columns on a page is an option for page styles,providing you are changing columns for a complete page. This is similar to other page style options such as headers, footers, orientation etc.

Sections are certainly another useful option, especially when you wish to change just a part of a page.