Hello everyone,
How do I create in Writer margins like the ones in the screenshot? I need to be able to write in them, and maybe to add some simple illustrations. I also need visible vertical lines that clearly mark them. I hope you can help.
Thank you very much,
Francesco
If you absolutely want to do it with Writer:
The page margins are defined in the page templates (in the sidebar).
The example below refers to a right-hand page.
As the margins are offset very differently, I would not recommend using a table,
but work with frames in the margins.
I think your requirements will be better met with a DTP programme.
105738 HB Test.odt (75,5 KB)
Re-open your question (donât use a comment) to add OS name, LO version and save format.
The vertical line issue is easy to solve with partial border in page style. However I donât guarantee exact layout with horizontal border under heading.
Margins are no-print zones in Writer. The only way to add data into them goes through frames. The main problem here is to design appropriately a frame style which will take care automatically of possible overlap between different frames (if you try to position manually these frames, considering their number, this will turn into a nightmare; consequently the process must be handled automatically by Writer). The base question is how text inside these various frames relate to text. You can consider these are kind of margin notes (as opposed to footnotes). They have an anchor point (where youâd find an anchor or number identifying the note). To make the anchor invisible, the number can be replaced by a space character. In addition, a character style applied to the anchor can force font size to 2pt (the absolute minimum in Writer) so that the anchor occupies a hardly noticeable width.
Margin text or illustrations are technically the same: they can use the same frame style. But for finer grained control, it is probably preferable to design two styles with the same general properties.
Line numbering as implemented in Writer is not the same as in your screenshot. Writer line numbering restarts at one at top of every page. Also there is a single line numbering. You cannot override this numbering to replace it with another one (the Roman numbers which seem rather to indicate sub-part or âoutlineâ progression). This Roman numbering marking the parts of the lesson can be done more or less with list numbering (or heading numbering) and will display in a dirrent area than line numbering.
Add a more formal specification of your goal. As soon as I get my hands on my main computer Iâll attach a sample of a similar document. Be aware this layout is advanced usage and you better be used to style manipulation and configuration, notably frames styles which is rather unstable and most difficult to tame. Over all, any direct formatting will completely ruin your chances of success.
EDIT 1
ComplexLayoutExample.odt (43.7 KB)
is an example of margin notes. It is more complex than your request because notes need also to be numbered by the verse number.
EDIT 2
I found fun in the question and it reminded me of my classes (when I was young ⌠quite a long time ago). So, I tried to design something as close as possible to the screenshot.
Here are the challenges:
Updated AskLO-LatinClassBook.odt (33.7 KB)
One addition: When you use the âPosition and Sizeâ-dialog to put the frame into âRight of page text areaâ, then always use the dialog to adjust the position. If you drag the frame with the mouse, then position will automatically go back to the default âEntire paragraph areaâ and then the automatic switch from the right margin on odd pages to the left margin on even pages will no longer work.
And another one: There is the frame style âMarginaliaâ. That one should be used for frames in margins. Of cause you need to adapt it to your needs, same as with other predefined styles.
@Hrbrgr I took the liberty of modifying your example to make it more exactly fit the image and to use @Reginaâs proposal of using the Marginalia frame style. The borders need a workaround of using drawing lines but once done they are persistent, stable and automatic.
105738 HB TestEA.odt (80.6 KB)
Note that if the marginalia frame gets distorted somehow, simply double click another frame style and then double-click Marginalia to apply the style again.
Thank you very much. Do you have any specific DPT software in mind to fit these specific needs? My experience with such things is ZERO. I even had to Google DPT to see what it wasâŚ
The acronym is DTP (for DeskTop Publishing), not DPT.
You can start with Scribus which is FOSS (free and open source). Is is quite easy to learn (if you understand the difference between flow-oriented document processors like Word or Writer and page-oriented DTP programs).
[Here is the repost. I am deeply sorry for posting my comment without abiding with the site rules.]
Margin experiments - EMPTY.odt (30.4 KB)
Some updates. I have been experimenting with Writer. See the attachment. I am rather happy for now, I just donât know how to add the vertical line to mark the outside margin. In the margin options in Format > Page Styles, you can only mark either both margins of the page or just the left one. Isnât there any option to mark the outside (mirrored) margins only?
Thanks!
Francesco
Your attachment shows poor formatting skill. Your frames are manually formatted instead of applying a well-crafted frame style. See the attachment in my comment above.
There is presently no way to specify an outer border because the Mirrored option only applies to margins. Therefore, you must use linked alternating page styles to be able to set separately your side border. Try built-in Left Page and Right Page which automatically alternate. Study my attachment.
I have been trying to imitate your Latin attachment⌠I modified the page style, right/left, or at least I tried. I have also set up vertical lines for both outside margins, but they do NOT appear. So I must have made a mistake. Under Styles > Frames > Margin Notes I also tried to set up the frames, but I ve not tried to use them yet. I am not sure if it was the right place to do it.
Iâm going to challenge your patience again by asking you to have a look at my formatting. Please tell me what is wrong.
Thank you.
Margin experiments - 2.odt (30.6 KB)
I donât see any border in your version 2 attachment. There is a single Default Page Style customised for Mirrored layout (and margins alternate as expected). This may not be the intended sample.
If it is representative of your real document, using Default Paragraph Style is faulty: this paragraph style is supposed to define document-wide default settings such as preferred font face and size, default spacing above and below, default left and right indents, ⌠The âstandardâ style for main topic is Body Text.
Just out of curiosity, what is the language? It looks like a member of the Gaelic group. You could record the language in Default Paragraph Style. It will extend to all other styles and avoid false spellcheck warnings (even if no dictionary is installed).
Sorry for the late reply, I was away. The language is Old Irish. This is a sample lesson of a textbook I have in mind that teaches Old Irish as a living language. It will be a chapter of my PhD thesis, here at Maynooth University (Ireland).
As for the vertical lines of the borders, in version 2 they are set up (Personalized) under âPage Styleâ > Right Page (right border), and Left Page (left border). But they still donât appear⌠I really donât know what to do.
Attach a sample file or send it to me through private message if you think it is confidential. Private channel is initialised by clicking on my name to pop up a dialog, then press Message.
