Making 2 Columns of Text That Can Be Formatted (text boxes don't seem to work, so what else?)

English
#1

I want the entire left 1/4 of the page to be a different background color, and then I want to put 2 sets of text side by side (one for each background; 2 columns of text, see?).

How I attempted to do this is by making a shape of a different background color and putting a text box on top, then putting another text box around the white, non-color background. I can’t add bullet points to this. Other sources have said I should use a “text frame”, but I can’t find it.

Oh, and I also made the entire document in html, and was wondering if there’s a way to just convert html into a .odt file. Converting it to pdf failed, and I don’t know why.

In summary:
1. How do you make the 2 columns of text within pre-defined limits that can be formatted (with bullet ponits)?
2. Can I just convert an html document with inline css into an odt file?

Thanks for your help.

#2

  • You could use a two column single row table, colour background of left column. Allow table and allow row to split across pages, that is default I think.

  • You could put two frames side-by-side. Insert > Frame > Frame interactively. If you anchor them to the Header they will repeat on each page but to get text flowing from one frame to the frame on the next page you will have to manually link the frames. [EDIT] You can only link frames if they are anchored to page, not Header, so copy and paste to each page and link manually…

  • If you want the entire left 1/4 page including margins to be coloured then you will need to create an image (.png or .svg is best) to use as page background that has the left hand 1/4 coloured as you want and the rest white. I would suggest a low resolution image.

Can’t help with html

1 Like
#3

Instead of describing the target layout, tell us the kind of document you want to create and which contents you want to write into it. Most important: is it “flow-based”, i.e. text flows from one page to the next like a novel, or is it “page-based”, i.e. each page is independent from each other and text should not overflow to the next one.

Should paragraphs in your “columns” be somewhat aligned or synchronised?

A **text box** is a kind of label. It can contain only a very limited bit of text without sophisticated formatting capabilities. If you need a full "sub-document" limited to a single page area, use text frames. But be aware that they are not ordered relative to each other. Don't try to split logical metadata across them (like chapter headings or document outline) because the ordering will be lost.
**HTML** has a different target than ODF. Conversion from HTML to *.odt* is not possible AFAIK. If there is an import filter, the result will be a real mess (akin to direct formatting) and barely usable. The reverse is possible: *.odt*→*.html*, though with a poor-quality CSS.
1 Like
#4

Here are a few more suggestions:

Layout in Writer

1 Like
#5

You could put two frames side-by-side. Insert > Frame > Frame interactively. If you anchor them to the Header they will repeat on each page but to get text flowing from one frame to the frame on the next page you will have to manually link the frames. [EDIT] You can only link frames if they are anchored to page, not Header, so copy and paste to each page and link manually…

So, I have my shape to the left just like before and I tried to put a frame in there. It doesn’t seem to allow me to put text in the frame. The only option that comes close to that seems to be “add caption”. Can I add text to the frame?

Also, I’m trying the table strategy and it works pretty well except that I can’t get the table to fit the height of the page. How to I make the table as long as the page? It stops about half way.

Thanks again for your help so far.

#6

I am not sure what the problem you are trying to solve is but increasing the height of an empty table sounds as if you might be using the wrong tool

Frames
If you have the frame selection handles showing, you cannot add text, only change the properties of the frame. If you deselect the frame and click inside the frame near the start of where the text should be (turn on View > Formatting Marks to make it easier) then you can just start writing. You can use the full range of styles and lists inside the frame

Tables
You can just add text inside the row and it will expand to take it. You can set the height of a row, click Table > Size > Row Height and set it to 30 cm and it will take a full page. If it is empty, I don’t think it will go beyond a page, it needs text inside to go over several pages.

I have roughly created a few frames and linked them, a table with a single row spanning several pages, and a page with a coloured background covering 1/4 of the page. Are any of likely to help you do what you want?
Frames&Tables.odt (52.3 KB)

2 Likes
#7

Yeah, the solution with the frames works. Thanks, I really appreciate the help! :smile:

#8

You must set the top and bottom page margins to 0, and use the table borders padding instead.

1 Like

Impressum (Legal Info) | Datenschutzerklärung (Privacy Policy)   Content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 license.