How do we make a unified header for brochure columns, not an entire page?

[vintprox]

It’s a joy to make columns work for you in Writer… that is until you have to manually ensure every column has the same header.

For example case, I make roll fold leaflet with 4 columns. It is intended to be printed on usual A4 paper. There should be a header on each “subpage” (column) that says right away what this particular leaflet is related to (“VS Code Keybindings”, “Unit Testing”, “Package Management”, etc.).

And it’s not as simple as to divide A4 on 4, set it as page dimensions, and call it a day, no. Because we don’t want to make printing process harder for clients by telling them to always choose “Brochure” somewhere in the settings.

We want to retain page structure of A4 with 4 col/page, but also want header on each column that comes from the same source of truth (edit once and it’s changed everywhere, like cloned instances in Inkscape). “Subpage” (column) numbering is minor, but is also preferred.

[Hrbrgr]

Layout in Writer

Can that help?

[vintprox]

Thanks for answering, @Hrbrgr But frames won’t help it. We still have to manually edit each frame when update in column header is necessary. Yes, there are no “column headers” nor “subpages” per se, and that’s why I’m asking whether we could have a workaround like cloned objects of sorts

[vintprox]

Minor note: it’s needed for pamphlet template that will be reused in unknown amounts later.

[Hrbrgr]

We still have to manually edit each frame when update in column header in necessary.

I don’t quite understand your conclusion.

I haven’t tested it now, but I think there is a possibility to use custom fields in the headers.

[vintprox]

What I’m talking about is, in LibreOffice Writer there are simply no headers for columns, only for pages. We have to make our own frame in content area for every column and edit them individually.
But what if branding changes? Then we’d have to tediously replace it on each frame per column…

In addition to editing each file individually (which is negotiable with macros), it just adds unnecessary overhead. Still, I’d want this template to look professional and totally ready for reuse, and when there is any change in design, it shouldn’t take much time on corrections.

I think there is a possibility to use custom fields

That’s one idea for text! What about other content, like images?

[Hrbrgr]

Well I don’t know if solutions with macros are feasible. This is not my skill. But maybe someone else will get back to you.

[ajlittoz]

Please give a concrete example.

If your idea is to split an A4 landscape A4-sheet into 4 subpages with full height and 1/4 width and make these subpages behave just like pages do, have you considered/tried defining a custom paper size (w=29.7/4 cm, h=21cm)? This can be stored in a page style. Then you work with customary pages and headers, except for the fact your page has odd size.

When it comes to print time, print 4 pages (1 row x 4 columns) on one A4 landscape sheet. You specify this with Custom disposition.

[LeroyG]

@vintprox

we don’t want to make printing process harder for clients

Send a PDF to the clients, and work with four narrow pages.

EDIT:

[vintprox]

@ajlittoz

If your idea is to split an A4 landscape A4-sheet into 4 subpages with full height and 1/4 width and make these subpages behave just like pages do, have you considered/tried defining a custom paper size (w=29.7/4 cm, h=21cm)? This can be stored in a page style. Then you work with customary pages and headers, except for the fact your page has odd size.

I agree, it’s the cleanest possible way right now. Tried with columns, and stumbled upon anchoring problems, so nevermind columns.

I wanted columns so badly, because it was easier to make connections between columns (parts of the same background, arrows, lines, etc.) Well…

[ajlittoz]

@vintprox

I wanted columns so badly, because it was easier to make connections between columns (parts of the same background, arrows, lines, etc.)

Then if you need to add “decorations” (like arrows) spanning several “columns”, these “columns” are not “pages” and my suggestion is not the right one. Can you provide an example of the kind of document you want to create? If you can’t make a sample and consider your stuff sensitive, attach it to a private message. I am thinking to a table-solution provided your text doesn’t need to flow automatically from one column to the next.