Writer pages with different columns

[shawnsterp]

I am attempting to have a document that has several pages of both 2 columns and 1 columns (standard page). I have seen in other forum posts that you need to insert a manual page break for this to work. I have done this, and have still run into problems:

The process I have is that I started with the 2 column pages which is the bulk of the document. I needed what amounts to a chapter title at the start of this in 1 column format. So, I went to the top of the document and selected the manual page break. I set the first page to “first page” (the 2 columns are all “default page” as I didn’t even know about this when I had started the document). I was able to set the first page to 1 column. BUT… what happens is that it sets every ODD numbered page to 1 column, and the other pages correctly remain 2 column. --To be clear, the 1st page should be 1 column, the rest (at this point) should be 2.

I am guessing that this has something to do with the “left / right” page description I have seen in parts of the configurations, but I really have no idea. Been banging my head against the wall for a while, so any help would be greatly appreciated!

EDIT - tech stuff:
OS - Endeavouros on 6.16 kernel
libreoffice version: 25.2.5.2 community
save format: .odt

[ajlittoz]

Please add more “technical” details: OS name, exact LO version and save format. The latter is very important: if you save .doc(x) conversion to/from ODF format occurs at open and save times. The format are sufficiently different to cause many issues.

From your description, your document seems to be made of several parts: some front part in 1-column mode and the bulk of the document in 2-column. Apparently, you forced the cover page to First Page built-in page style. If you didn’t customise the style, it automatically switches to Default Page Style at bottom of page. But this does not explain alternation.

Best thing you can do is to attach a reduced sample (max 10 pages) of your document for an in-depth analysis. Remove any private data. Eventually, replace real text with nonsense but ensure that the “logical” structure (and intent) of the sample can still be understood.

[Regina]

Do you need to have a one-column part on a otherwise two column page? A one-column heading and a two-column body text, for example? In that case, keep the page as one-column page and insert a two-column section for the body text.

[shawnsterp]

Well, I was attempting to just have separate pages have different amounts of columns. Specifically, page 1 with 1 column. Pages 2-5 with 2 columns.

Having said that, you are reminded me that I did attempt the “section” idea, only in reverse (place a single column section on a 2 column page). It did not work for me, not sure what I was doing wrong. I highlighted the desired text and then went to create section. I THINK what it was doing was making a single column section within the left side column of the 2 column page that it was on. I tried messing with margins, and that was a hilarious disaster with text just disappearing lol.

I WAS able to accomplish what I need in the short run by using the headings for the single column stuff. But, i was able to do that by calling it a “first page header”. I am guessing that when this will eventually not be a good solution when it is in a 200 page document where I have several pages that need this effect. IDK, maybe it would still work as long as each of those pages have the “first page header”? Would I be able to have different text (and therefore different expanded header sizes) in this way?

[mikekaganski]

@shawnsterp

I did attempt the “section” idea, only in reverse (place a single column section on a 2 column page). It did not work for me

Answering to

@shawnsterp

not sure what I was doing wrong

Basically, this:

@shawnsterp

only in reverse

[ajlittoz]

@shawnsterp

(place a single column section on a 2 column page)

Sections allow to change number of columns within the page layout defined by the page style. Therefore, if you insert a 2-column section in a 2-column page, you end-up with a 4-column page!

@shawnsterp

I WAS able to accomplish what I need in the short run by using the headings for the single column stuff. But, i was able to do that by calling it a “first page header”.

Not sure to follow what you did and understand what you what.

Setting a page style 2-column does not impact header or footer which remain full width (1-column). This is usually what is expected.

Tweaking header settings in the page style (same or not header on first, left, right pages) allow you to “decouple” headers for first, right and left pages but does not “touch” text area. Header area height remains the same on all three page variants. Consequently this is not the way to create a chapter cover page.

Explain the final expected layout of your document. So far, we know you want a cover page (can be done with First Page built-in page style which switches automatically to Default Page Style for subsequent pages). But we have no idea about your “chapters”. Do you want chapter heading full width (single column) with chapter text 2-column? In this case, you can’t do without a section.