I need a word processor to handle 2 facing pages differently. The left (even) pages have a separate layout and format that the right (odd) page numbers. Most word processors cannot do this, especially MS Word. Lotus Word Pro does 2 columns correctly, but I have not been able to get different column layouts on opposing left-right pages.
I tried 2 separate files -- one for the left pages and one for the right pages -- but this is too cumbersome on screen and for printing -- the lines of text cannot be made to line up, and viewing, scrolling and printing are all a nightmare. Here are the requirements --
1. In a book of 300 pages, the LEFT pages have 2 columns, each with its own format, font and column width. The right pages have 2 columns with different formats and fonts than on the left. Headers and footers for each page spread across both columns, as Word Pro correctly does.
2. The main requirement is that ALL LINES MUST BE VERTICALLY ALIGNED down the pages -- else the reader can't visually compare the text in each column, which is CRUCIAL to readability.
3. Page-at-a-time word processors choke on this -- the formats of the 2 columns of the left pages must persist down to the next left page, and the right column formats must persist down to the next right page.
4. So, typing in column 1 of the left page, at the page end, the next word goes DOWN to column 1 of the next left (even numbered) page, with the same format, font, etc. Similarly for the other columns. i.e. the text flow and formatting goes VERTICALLY down the pages -- NOT ACROSS the page, like newsletter layouts.
This vertical flow is called "parallel columns" -- each of 4 columns displayed across 2 facing pages is independent of the other columns (except for line height which is set manually). Once a column format and flow is set, IT PERSISTS DOWN that column to the end of the book -- it doesn't carry across the page.
Most word-processor developers don't understand parallel book columns, so most word processors can't do them -- they think only left to right column flow. I tried Wordperfect's parallel column layout, but it cannot handle different facing page layouts -- the odd-even page layouts are forced to be the same.
I tried layout programs like QUARK -- same problem -- you arduously set up a layout for each page, and the text still flows across a page, not down to the next odd/even page. Also, typing into page-design programs like Quark is way too slow -- I need an efficient word processor that can think vertical, not horizontal.
PLEASE HELP! If you know a word processor where column text and format carries down to alternate pages, not across a page, PLEASE TELL ME. Think 2 facing pages, total 4 columns, all in parallel.
When I find a word processor to do this, I will buy a 27" monitor to show all 4 parallel columns across the screen. The program also must be able to print the layout of the different pages as it appears -- in any book layout, even pages are printed on the back of odd pages, right? Why can't word processors get this?
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i was going to suggest a highly recommended DTP package, when i had a thought .. about using Delay Codes in WordPerfect, this would do the trick BUT unfortunately there is no 'alternate' or odd/even type setting, only no of oages to delay.
WP allows different binding for odd/even pages, and printing odd/even pages separately (so that you can do double-sided printing), but different odd/even formatting
however, using the Styles feature (basically Delay Codes w/o the delay :-) and applying to alternate pages would do the trick.
you could then automate this by using a macro or PerfectScript to format pages (by selecting the appropriate Style) based on whether page was odd or even.
cheers
don card
You can insert and edit codes that take effect after a specified number of pages. If on page 3, for example, you delay a code by two pages, the code takes effect on page 5. These are called delay codes. You can delay any open code. Open codes are codes used for Line Numbering, Fonts, Tab Setting, and Margins. You cannot delay paired codes. Paired codes are codes that have two codesone at the start of the entry and one at the end of the entry. Codes for Bold, Italics, and Tables or indent and alignment codes, such as Indent and Center, are paired codes.
For example, if you use letterhead for the first page of your document and use normal paper for the rest of the document, you can set the page size for all pages at the beginning of your document. After you set up the first page size, you can place a second page size in delay codes.
To insert a delay code
1. Position the cursor on the page where you want to delay codes.
2. Click Format, Page, Delay Codes.
3. In the Number Of Pages To Skip Before Applying Codes box, choose the number of pages for which you want to delay codes, then click OK.
4. Choose font and formatting options from the menu or the Delay Codes toolbar.
5. Click the Close button on the Delay Codes toolbar.
Note
· You cannot delay paired codes and line format codes, such as Indent, Center, Flush Right, or Tab.
Tips
· The delay code remains at the top of the document or follows a hard page break. A delay code appears as [Delay:#] where # is the number of pages the code is delayed.
· After a delay code appears in a document, items, such as watermarks and headers and footers, continue on every page as normal.
To edit a delay code
1. Click View, Reveal Codes.
2. Double-click the delay code you want to edit.
3. In the Styles Editor dialog box, make any changes, then click OK.
4. Click the Close button on the Delay Codes toolbar.
Tip
· You can display properties for a delay code in the Reveal Codes window.
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