how to create a table across columns

[WRJ]

There is need to present a complex image with accompanying figure text. Inserting them into two table cells (in a single column) in a single table appears to be the most appealing approach to have a movable unit. This table unit, however, has to span the entire width of the page that is formatted for 2 columns.

Would it help to have this table either at the top or the bottom of the page?
How can this column-spanning effect be achieved?
Can the columns be instructed to cover only portions of a page?

[EarnestAl]

You could click Insert > Frame > Frame interactively, draw the frame across the page to suit the size of the table, and insert the table inside the frame. Or skip the table and have just the 2 images with their captions, the caption frames could anchored to Frame.

There could be layout problems if text is added prior to the frame anchor (anchor to paragraph for most situations). The frame could end up hanging over the margins of the page.

Alternatively, you could have a single column page. Where you want a double column of text you could click Insert > Section and select a double column. The section will balance the text across the columns so you won’t have a lopsided look to it. The table would then be free to take the whole width of the page, but it would be outside the section of text.