Columns in Framemaker

[Donna_Stadter]

I have read the message on how to set up columns in the master pages of a document and I did this, but how to I make them read down the column and then start at the top of the next and so on.   When I hit enter my cursor goes across to the next column.

[Arnis Gubins]

Donna,

Could you please explain how exactly (step-by-step) you set up the columns on the master pages? If done properly, the content should flow as you expect, down the first and then snaking across to the next one. You may also want to look at your current paragraph tag. If it is set to start at the top of a column, then when you hit enter, the next entry will be at the top of the next column.

It would also help if you mention which version of FM (including version number pXXX) that you are using.

[Donna_Stadter]

I failed to mention that I am using 11 x 17 landscape. For some reason the text is not wrapping in the column and is jumping over to the next. I thought maybe it was in my style but I can't find anywhere in there for the text wrapping. And in the pagination it is checked in column.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Donna Stadter,

Publications

MarquipWardUnited

1300 North Airport Road

Phillips, WI 54555

715-339-2191

[Arnis Gubins]

Donna,

[Still trying to visualize what your problem is - Note: you can attach a screen shot as an inline graphic using the little camera icon in the editor for the replies]

Did you check that your style is not set to have "Across all columns" enabled in the Paragraph designer?

[Donna_Stadter]

It seems that the columns are not going down the whole length of the page.

I'm just attaching the file because I don't think a screen shot will show much.

Thanks

Donna Stadter,

Publications

MarquipWardUnited

1300 North Airport Road

Phillips, WI 54555

715-339-2191

[Donna_Stadter]

I am using Version 8.0p277.

I did what you said in one of the other forum questions. I went to the master pages and I clicked on the text from and the I set it up using graphics/object properties/ and set up by the left hand bottom 3 columns and just checked the box that said to balance the columns. I did this on both master pages or do I not need to do that.

Donna Stadter,

Publications

MarquipWardUnited

1300 North Airport Road

Phillips, WI 54555

715-339-2191

[Van Kurtz]

Donna,

You should uncheck the balance-the-columns checkbox. This feature tries to equalize the content in the columns, on the last page. Thus, when you are beginning a flow, the first page is the last page also. With the feature selected, you will need to add more content to get the second column to flow back into the first. Uncheck the feature while you are entering your content initially; you can always select it later if that is the look you want.

Good luck,

Van

[Donna_Stadter]

Thank you very much. Something so simple. I was pulling my hair out and wasting too much time trying to figure it out. I should be good to go now. I use Frame all the time, but sometimes it is so hard to figure out the simplest things.

Thanks again!

Donna Stadter,

Publications

MarquipWardUnited

1300 North Airport Road

Phillips, WI 54555

715-339-2191

[Arnis Gubins]

Hi Donna,

Van beat me to it with the identifying the Balance columns option.Which posting was it that you were referring to for the instructions?

[Donna_Stadter]

This would be the post that I used.

Thanks Again!

Reply Currently Being Moderated

Mar 10, 2008 8:21 AM

columns in structured framemakerI was wondering if there is a way to set up columns in a structured framemaker document without messing up the tagging of the document? Thanks. I tried to make a text box and then tried to tag, but it did not work.

Ashley Reply

(Van_Kurtz)

243 posts since

Oct 13, 2002

Currently Being Moderated

1. Mar 10, 2008 10:08 AM in response to: (Ashley_Rambus)

Re: columns in structured framemaker

Ashley,

Text columns are governed by the text frames on the master pages and not the structure of the content. So, on the master page, select the text frame. Select Graphics > Object Properties. The lower left area of the dialog box has a place to specify the number of columns and the amount of space between them. If you also select Balance Columns, then the bottoms of the columns on the last page will more or less align with each other. To switch back to a single column, just change the master page. The structured content remains the same in both cases.

Donna Stadter,

Publications

MarquipWardUnited

1300 North Airport Road

Phillips, WI 54555

715-339-2191