I am working on a template in LO Writer and I’d like to have text (a signature line) at the bottom of the very last page. Above the text is a table which is automatically filled with often long texts that can cause page breaks. The solution should therefore work regardless of the number of pages. The last page might be anywhere from first page to 100+th page. The last page will likely still have content (the table) other than the signature line. I cannot use endnotes (that’s at the top of the page) or a footer (that’s on every page and I can’t use a different style for the last page because it might also be the first page, it’s automatically generated) or anchor it to the page (that’s just on one page and you have to specify which one) and frankly, I’m at loss.
Any ideas?
You may insert a frame
- anchor to paragraph, properties :: type :: position :: vertical bottom to page text area
[edit]
For “power users” you can manage a protection of the “last line” like this:
- Insert a section as the very last object in your text; in that way that there is no paragraph behind it. So nobody is able to write below the section.
- Insert the frame as above mentioned
- Protect the section - done
- Edit your text…
[/edit]
Unfortunately, this does not work for me, it stays on the first page.
The trick is to anchor the frame to a dedicated paragraph. See my answer update.
I tried it again but it did not work. Then I tried anchoring it to character rather than to paragraph and it worked! Everything else in your answer was very helpful and accurate but I’m afraid you must have confused it there but now all is well. I’d appreciate it if you could correct that in your answer so I can mark it as correct. I also noticed that this solution also works with a Textbox.
Thank you very much for your help! I couldn’t have done it without you.
Anchoring as character instead of to paragraph sometimes gives better results. It depends on circumstances, but it may prove “dangerous” when you edit the paragraph: erasing the anchor location will delete the frame (which does not happen wit “to paragraph”). Once again, choosing the right anchor is a matter of experimenting, due to the effective local formatting and context.
Wrt improving my answer: 1) do you suggest I mention character anchor? 2) where is my confusion? Initially I thought only of automating signature insertion. Should I keep only the alignment issue?
Three directions:
-
If you really design a template in LO concept, i.e. a file with extension .ott, just put your “signature” paragraph as the last element in the template.
When you “instantiate” the template, begin to type above your “signature” or, if you already have more fixed fixed text in your template (TOC or index placeholder, tables, copyright, …), where the logical start of your document is.
If you don’t need the “signature” in the document, delete it (it won’t affect the template).
-
Define an “AutoText” for your “signature” and trigger its expansion when you need it.
-
Use the replacement capabilities of
Tools>AutoCorrect>AutoCorrect Options,Replacetab: define a new pattern in Replace and your “signature” in With. After that, when you type the pattern, it is automatically replaced by your “signature”. Note you will need to type the finalReturnto end the paragraph signature.
EDIT to cope with alignment specification
In your template, add an empty paragraph in the very last position. Adjust the spacing properties and font size so that it is as unobtrusive as possible. With the cursor inside, Insert>Frame, anchored To paragraph. Position properties are : Vertical Bottom to Page Text Area, Horizontal as you seem fit (Center is quite common for a "signature`). Width in Size should be large enough for your purpose. Do not forget to remove the default border.
Type your signature inside the frame.
The frame is automatically aligned at the bottom of the last page. Tune the properties of the last empty paragraph to avoid some undesired effect such as the “signature” shifted to a new page although there is enough room for it in the preceding page (this is an effect of paragraph spacing).
If this answer helped you, please accept it by clicking the check mark 
to the left and, karma permitting, upvote it. If this resolves your problem, close the question, that will help other people with the same question.
Please take into account that I need the signature line at the bottom of the last page, not just on the last page. Even if there’s only two or three words on the page (other than the ones with the signature line) the signature line has to be at the very bottom. Also, once I have created the template, I will not be instantiating the template manually, the process will be automated.
I edited my first solution, adding a protected section as the very last part of the text.
How to fix the section as last part:
- Type some letters in the last paragraph, mark the entire last paragraph, then goto menu Insert → section
If you fail:
- Delete the last paragraph of text by going to the last paragraph of section, then hit CTRL+SHIFT+DEL
The way to break that:
Hit ALT+ENTER (last paragraph of section) then you create a paragraph below, even if section protected
@wowza42 wrote: Also, once I have created the template, I will not be instantiating the template manually, the process will be automated.
I have no clue what to do then and what automation you are going to start…