I’m writing something and I usually leave a bunch of blank spaces to start the next chapter on a new page, but these spaces just seem to randomly change? Sometimes even as I’m writing, and I don’t know how to fix it
example.odt (21.6 KB)
example 2.odt (28.4 KB)
If you seek help, reword your question (=reopen it, modify it, don’t use a comment). Start with the beginning: OS name, LO version and save format (.odt vs. .doc(x)).
How do you write your document? Just like a typewriter? Do you apply styles?
For better diagnostic, attach a sample file.
See the paragraph marks with Ctrl+F10 (menu View - Formatting Marks).
I’m curious, why are you using blank spaces to advance to a new page? You can insert a page break anywhere in your document by using Insert–> Page Break or CTRL+Return. This would be the standard way to jump to a new page in any word processor today.
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Your sample files show you are using Writer just like an old mechanical typewriter where user must care for everything.
Instead, learn to use styles. Read the Writer Guide for an introduction to the feature. Styles can be configured for vertical spacing above and below paragraphs, first line indent (instead of simulating it with a Tab press). You can also request that a paragraph is preceded by a page break.
Styles are the tools to automate document formatting. But you must understand that styles are much more than application of visual attributes to your text. Styles in fact “annotate” text with significance hints (this paragraph is a heading, this one is my main topic, this other is a comment, tht one is a note, …). You configure these various semantic styles so that they are clearly distinguished by your reader.
Have a look at the built-in styles. They are an excellent starting point. They me need to be customised to fit your preferred aesthetic tastes.
Note also that styles operate in several layers. Paragraph styles provide the basic appearance of text. Character styles are applied over them to allow for different word formatting. And above these, direct formatting (to be avoided as much as you can) manually overrides styles.
You also have page styles to define the layout of your pages and other properties like header and footer.
There are other style categories (frame and list) you can leave aside in the beginning, but I emphasise the importance of list styles (contrary to what the name suggests, they don’t fully define the look of list items but only the appearance of the number or bullet) which should be your next target once you’ve understood paragraph, character and page styles and you’ve become fmiliar with them.
Direct formatting will always play nasty tricks on your back (just like in your sample files where an innocuous change messes up your manual layout). Styles are the only way to guarantee a predictable and stable formatting whatever edit you apply to your document.