WD98: How to Create Side-by-Side Paragraph Formatting

• Microsoft Word 98 Macintosh Edition

SUMMARY

This article explains how to create side-by-side paragraphs. You can use the side-by-side paragraph feature to create multiple columns of uneven widths and lengths, place text beside graphics, or overlay text and graphics.

MORE INFORMATION

In Word 98 Macintosh Edition, side-by-side paragraphs are different from newspaper, or snaking, columns. When you use newspaper columns (snaking columns), the text fills one column and continues at the top of the next column (see method 2 below if this is your intention). When you are using side-by-side paragraphs, paragraphs are matched side-by-side to show relationships. You specify which paragraphs belong beside each other by applying the appropriate indents and side-by-side formatting to each set of paragraphs.

The following is an example of side-by-side paragraphs:

   PAMPHLET -
                         Ross Manufacturing Company
                           Preferred Customer Plan

   Featuring                          Your Benefits

   Bulk-volume discounts, with        Price savings (40-60%) with built-
   rebates based on annual volumes    in rebates. You pay less per item
   (at wholesale prices).             when you order more.

   Custom-designed fittings for       Unique fittings for your customers
   corrosive and high-pressure        within two weeks after we receive
   fluids.                            the order; a maintenance contract
                                      is included.

Method 1: Use Word Tables

Use tables in Word to create side-by-side paragraphs as follows:

1. Position the insertion point where you want to create the columns of side-by-side paragraphs.

2. On the Table menu, click Insert Table.

3. Enter the Number Of Columns and Number Of Rows you want to create. NOTE: You can later add or subtract more columns and rows as needed.

4. Click OK to return to the document.

5. Type the information that is to appear in side-by-side paragraphs in the appropriate table cells, pressing the TAB key to move to the next cell. The information that is entered in these cells automatically wraps to the next line when it reaches the right-cell boundary.

   side-by-side columns, tables

Method 2: Use Linked Text Boxes

Use linked text boxes to flow text in parallel, or side-by-side paragraphs from page to page. By using linked text boxes, you can have text from column 1 flow to column 1 on the next page. The text beside it in column 2 can flow to column 2 on the next page, parallel to column 1.

To use linked text boxes to create side-by-side columns, follow these steps:

1. On the Tools menu, click Preferences.

2. Click the View tab and click to select the Paragraph Marks (under Nonprinting Characters). Or, click the Show/Hide button on the Formatting toolbar.

3. Click at the top of the page where you want the side-by-side columns to start, and press RETURN twice.

4. Click the first paragraph mark on the page.

5. On the Insert menu, click Text Box.

6. Click and drag where you want the first column on the page.

7. On the Insert menu, click Text Box.

8. Click and drag where you want the second column on the page.

9. Click the last paragraph mark on the page, and press COMMAND+SHIFT+RETURN to create a page break.

10. Repeat steps 1-9 for each page that will contain side-by-side columns in your document.

11. Click to select the first text box you created.

12. In the Text Box toolbar, click the Create Text Box Link button.

13. Click the text box on the left side of the second page to create a link.

14. Repeat steps 12-13 for all other text boxes that will contain this same "story." Note, a "story" is defined as text that's contained within a single text box, or a chain of linked text boxes.

15. Repeat the entire process for every text box in the next story.

For more information about creating side-by-side columns with linked text boxes, click Contents And Index on the Help menu (or on the Balloon Help menu if you are using a version of the Macintosh operating system earlier than 8.0), click the Index button in Word Help, type the following text

   side-by-side columns, linked text boxes