How do I allow page breaks inside a 2 column x 1 row table spanning over many pages?

[dzainius]

Hello,

I am learning German and I am using subtitles for that. My idea is to create a dual-text pdf slides with Writer for my ereader.

The problem is that it is hard to keep the translations allinged and need to be adjusted manually.

It works by simply pressing enter to make sure that texts match in translation, but the process is very laborous and if a mistake occurs in one page, all pages needs to be redone. Not very smart!

Page breaks would be exactly what I need, but it does not seem to work inside the table.

Anybody has any ideas? Thanks in advance.

[dzainius]

btw, here are some examples files. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aktqduz9ctisyra/lJUClY5a2j

[dzainius]

I have realised that what I am looking for might not be actual page break. I need only for a one side of the table to continue to another page without affecting the secong column.

[veggienae]

Does the information have to be in a table format? If not, you could just set the tab to where you want the second column to begin and use a regular page break after each entry.

[dzainius]

Well, it can be in any format, as long as it is side by side. Very interesting solution. It works. Unfortunately, it would be too much work. I am looking at a text file with 1500 lines. I need something more automated. Thank you for your reply!

[oweng]

Refer my answer here. A good method for laying out two columns of content, consisting of original and translated text, is to use linked text frames (in preference to a table). This will mean the text flow (cursor movement) separates original content from translated content i.e., cursor will move through all original content or all translated content, according to selection.

EDIT: An alternate workaround is to use column breaks (Insert > Manual Break… > Column Break) in combination with the cell-breaking options under Table > Table Properties… > Text Flow tab. This will mean the text flow is original > translation, followed by the next original > translation pair.

[dzainius]

I appreciate your suggestion. But frames needs to be set up individually and then linked up. Table is a better solution for me as I do not need to know how many pages there will be as table just continues to the next page when the current is full.

[oweng]

@dzainius, a table will only be a better solution if the content in it can be broken as required. It is not possible to place a page break in a table (as table breaking is handled in a separate manner). I will update my answer with an alternate workaround, although I think it is less elegant than the linked frame solution.