How to reduce number of text columns from 2 to 1

I have a writer template with 2 text columns and want to change to one text column…

However, neither

select all (all on the 2 pages of the
template) and go Format / page /
columns select 1

nor

select all text in the 2 columns and
go Format / page / columns select 1

gives me a 1 column template.

First and other pages should all be the same.

Help file says what I did however without effect. The template keeps the 2 columns.

I appreciate any hint on how to change the columns from 2 to 1.

LibO 3.6.5.2 on XP Prof / SP3

A few things to try:

  • see if Default and First page page styles (see styles and formatting dialog, F11) are both with one column

  • make sure you don’t use sections (if you do, then two columned text gets filled two rows at once, not one column first filled up and then second, see screenshot)

@ mahfiaz - Thanks for the help. I did not see the section in the template. Taking care to the section solved the problem.

@ mahfiaz - would it make sense to section styles???

If by that you mean, that we would have one tab in styles and formatting dialog named section, then yes, it would make sense, especially if certain paragraph styles can start/end sections. This would make possible two-column article with full-width heading.

@mahfiaz - Yes it could/should be an additional tab in the styles window. I only could sketch an enhancement request very roughly because I am not the expert on styles and how styles are linked and what are given technical constrains. I am willing to file an enhancement request but feel you have more expertise to do so. What do you think?