I want to create a document with two columns of text – one column in English, and the second column in Spanish, with the same information. I can find info on how to create two columns, but the bottom of the first column on a page is connected to the top of the second column on the same page.
What I want is for the bottom of each column to continue on the appropriate column in the next page.
If I understand your needs correctly, parallel columns, as opposed to flowing or “newspaper” columns, are quite easy to do by inserting a Table.
what was already in my reply on August 8 '15 with an example … 
Ah, indeed. It was hiding behind the more momentous suggestion, which I didn’t get past. Great answer, Pierre. BW.
If you want 2 parallel (rather than connected) columns of text, then the only method that I can think of is to make use of Frames.
It would still be possible to link a frame on one page to a similar frame on the next page, so that text will flow from one frame to the next. The only restriction with this is that each frame must be within the Body of the document (eg cannot link from frame in Header to Frame in Footer, etc.). Fiddly, but possible:-
Go (menu):Insert→Frame...
You will probably want each frame anchored to the Page, and likely with one positioned left & the other positioned right.
To link text frames see Inserting, Editing, and Linking Text Frames.
There is one, single, annoying downside to Frames:- if the Frame itself is selected (rather than the Frame contents) then you cannot select the contents. You have to de-select the frame by clicking outside the frame, and can then select inside the frame.
If this helps then please tick the answer (
).
Hi
Writer does not seem to me the most appropriate tool for this kind of work, precisely for the reason you mention (text continued on the same page at the bottom of the first column).
Linked frames may be boring to do if the number of pages is large.
My advice would be to seek a dedicated tool. There are free software like OmegaT. I have not tried but I have seen many times advised.
If you would like to continue with Writer you can also use a simple two-column table. See the attached TwoColumns.odt. It would of course be possible to remove the borders…
Another tip: do not forget to set the language for each column to avoid errors when spellchecking.
Regards
I still cannot see for what reason a text table should not be appropriate for the purpose. I often did similar things (draft a translation or comment on a text) this way, leaving a narrow blank column as a separator.
The only thing I would suggest in addition: I cut both the texts (and all the columns) in table rows, 1 per paragraph regularly, do establish a correct correlation.