[Sca-cooks] OT: need computer help -- typing parallel columns

[Martin G. Diehl]

Tara Sersen Boroson wrote:
> Robin Carroll-Mann wrote:
> 
> >I think I mentioned recently that I've started a new 
> >translation project.  I want to have the Spanish text and 
> >the translation in parallel columns.  This will be better 
> >for future readers, and it makes it a lot easier for me to 
> >go back and forth.
> >
> >Right now, I'm working with Word 97, which only allows 
> >newspaper columns. I've been inserting column breaks to 
> >make it work, but I can see that deleting or add a few 
> >words could cause a lot of problems.  Any suggestions? 
> 
> Brighid, have you tried using a table to format your columns?  
> You can make a two-column table with invisible borders.  You 
> could make each line of the text a seperate row of table 
> cells, or do the entire text in a single table row with 
> normal line breaks.

An even better way is to use a table row for each paragraph 
(and also chapter titles and/or sub headings).  

As an initial setup, create an empty table: 2 rows by 2 columns.  

Select the entire table (Table -> Select Table), then 
(Format -> Paragraph -> Spacing Before 6pt and Spacing After 6pt) 
This gives 1 blank line between paragraphs.  

While the entire table is still selected: 
(Table -> Cell Height and Width) 
then UNclick "Allow row to break across pages" then click OK
This keeps (when possible) entire paragraphs on a page.  

Type the Column headings into the first row e.g. the original 
document title and the translated document title.  
Select the row (Table -> Select Rows) then identify the heading 
(Table -> Headings)

While entering text, use Tab to go from cell to cell ... this will 
also open up a new table row as you go along.  You won't need to 
use line breaks (AKA Enter) between paragraphs.  If you do use 
line breaks, you will see a blank line.  

You probably want to avoid any of these ... automatic numbering, 
indents, bullets, ...

> -Magdalena
> 
> >Brighid ni Chiarain *** mka Robin Carroll-Mann
> >Barony of Settmour Swamp, East Kingdom
> >rcmann4 at earthlink.net

Vincenzo

-- 
Martin G. Diehl