Recalcitrant Columns in Word 1

[HelpDeskMan]

I have a user issue that I've not been able to resolve. Wondered if anyone could shed light on this. When we try to reformat a section into 2 columns instead of one, the data is moved to the next page, leaving a blank area where it formally was. It seems to have something to do with the footnote at the end of that page because, when I remove the footnote, it formats just fine. I tried copying everthing into a new doc. No change. Ugh. This is frustrating.

 

[sawedoff]

Try inserting a continuous section break (Insert - Break - Continuous) right before the part you want to be in columns, and another one right after that part. Sometimes what is not visible can thrw the column formatting off.

Sawedoff

 

[HelpDeskMan]

Thanks, Sawedoff. I tried that and got the same results. Also, When I try to change the data to two columns the regular way, it automatically adds the continuous section break right before and right after. Still, it brings it down to the next page (while the footnote remains in its place). Oi vey!

 

[fumei]

A little more detail please.

1. "reformat a section". Does this mean the document is already broken into Sections - before you make one of them columns?

2. What is the section break type between the sections, both the one previous, and any following?

3. Please state what version of Word you are using?

I can not duplicate this. I put a footnote on a page, changed the section into columns, and it seems to be working OK.

Gerry
See my Paintings and Sculpture

 

[HelpDeskMan]

Fumei -

Thanks. Sorry for the lack of specificity. This is a document submitted to me by a user. We us Office 2003 here. The document is in normal view but we experience the same phenomenon in Print view as well. The text I am trying to convert to 2 columns is not sectioned off (no section break before or after). However, when I trying to change it to 2 columns, "Section Break (Continuous)" appears before and after and the columns are moved to the next page (tho the footnote stays in place at the bottom of the page). There are only 2 footnotes in the whole 7 page document. One is on page "2" and the other on this page, page "6".

Hope that all makes sense and answers your questions. This user is beginning to loose faith in our Helpdesk and I've exausted my resources here.

 

[TonyJollans]

Hi HelpDeskMan,

I can replicate this and it's peculiar. It seems to treat the footnote as belonging to the section and won't start a new section until after it.

If you set the Footnote to "Below Text" it no longer skips a page but it inserts the footnote between the one column and two column sections which looks just as odd.

I can't offer any solution at the moment, Sorry!.

Enjoy,
Tony

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[TonyJollans]

Hi HelpDeskMan,

This may help to restore faith in your help desk!

Under Tools > Options > Compatibility, there is an option "Lay out Footnotes like Word 6.x/95/97" which seems to make the thing behave sensibly.

Enjoy,
Tony

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We want to help you; help us to do it by reading this: Before you ask a question.
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[HelpDeskMan]

Man, you're a genius! Thanks a lot! That worked perfectly. Peace and tranquility restored once again to the galaxy.