Table placement in WORD - can text flow throug it?

[SusanAmrose]

I would like to place my tables and figures in WORD (2003) below the first reference to them, but in the first place that the full table or figure can fit on the page. When I insert a table, I can align it to be below the paragraph, but if the table doesn't fit on the page, it is bumped to the next page leaving ugly blank space below my paragraph. I want the table to bump down to the next page (so it will fit nicely), but allow the text in the next paragraph to move up through the table and fill the blank space. Is this possible in WORD?

When I set the text wrapping to be next to the table, I find that the paragraph below the table still will not move ABOVE the table itself (only next to it).

I notice that I cannot anchor a table to specific position the way that I can anchor a figure (the only options available are 'move with text' and 'allow overlap'). I also don't want to anchor it, I just want it to be below the first reference as close as possible and still fit on the page.

 

[mintjulep]

I don't think you can do that directly with a table.

As an ugly work-around, you could insert a text box, then insert a table inside the text box. A text box, being a shape object has all of the text wrapping options of any other shape or picture.

I've never tried what I've just suggested in an actual application, so I have no idea what horrible unanticipated consequences may arise.

 

[fumei]

horrible unanticipated consequences "

Rest assured....there will be.

Tables do not have anchors...unless you put them, as mintjulep mentions, in one of those horrid textboxes.

I want the table to bump down to the next page (so it will fit nicely), but allow the text in the next paragraph to move up through the table and fill the blank space. Is this possible in WORD?

My emphasis. No, except manually, or fairly complex VBA.

Are you using Styles? What exactly is the deal with the previous paragraph to the table? Is it set for Keep with next?

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[SusanAmrose]

Thanks for the reply!

I am using the table to insert my figures (photos and pdf files) with captions so that they stay together. I cannot use text boxes because then I cannot cross-reference the caption numbers. I can cross-reference if I turn the text box into a frame, but then I do not get all the wrapping options (i.e. the text below the figure will not wrap to above the figure if the frame goes to the next page).

My desire is to be able to insert a figure with a caption below the first reference to it in the text and be able to edit the text without getting large white spaces at the bottom of my pages if the figure needs to migrate to the next page. The best I can do now is insert a picture and lock anchor it to the top of the page after the first reference. However, if I add a bunch of text to the top of the doc, the first reference goes below the figure, and if I delete a bunch of text before the figure, the caption will go above the figure. If I try to attach the caption to the figure using a text box, table, or frame - I am stuck not being able to lock anchor it (as in a table) or wrap the text properly (when using a frame) or cross-reference (using a text box). I am not able to select 'keep with next' when highlighting the picture and am not able to group the picture and caption into one graphic (unless I use a text box for the caption - leading to cross-reference issues).

Am I hearing correctly that there is no way to do this except manually? A figure with an attached caption below the first reference to it is very common in technical writing - is WORD really unable to accommodate this? Do technical writers use latex (or some other package)? Or do they really format every figure by hand? Or am I missing something?
Thank you!

 

[SusanAmrose]

I just realized I forgot to answer your previous questions.

No, I am not using styles, but just learned how and plan to add them to this doc later (and use them from now on).

No, the previous paragraph is not set to keep with next.

Thanks!

 

[fumei]

A figure with an attached caption

Let's be clear. Captions are NOT attached, and never have been.

Say I insert a picture, then right click and get Caption. I accept the default Figure 1, below.

There it is. The picture and Figure 1 below.

Now I insert text ("yadda yadda blah blah") between "Figure 1" and the picture. There it is. Word will do that because they is NO real linkage in terms of range. Inserting a Caption simply inserts "Figure x", or "Table y" (below, above... whatever) as text. It has a particular Style, true. But it is not, repeat NOT, "attached" in any way to the figure, or table.

A figure with an attached caption below the first reference to it is very common in technical writing

I am not totally following this. The first part, sure, but what do you mean by "first reference"?

I have done thousands of pages of technical writing, and yes, figures/tables with captions are very common. But I am not quite following "first" reference.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture

 

[mintjulep]

The thing you want to do is inherently impossible.

If you lock a figure to something in the text, then add or delete text until the figure and its anchor is forced to move to a different page then what exactly do you expect to fill the empty space where the picture used to be?

 

[fumei]

Actually mintjulep the OP did, in fact, state what they wanted. That is not the same as what they may expect. Still, sorry Susan, again, either you do it manually - move a paragraph UP when you want it to - or you use fairly serious VBA and careful logic to do it. I would not recommend the code route. I believe it may be possible, as I can think of a maybe way, however...it would take careful logic to make it work. I do not think the return on the effort is worth it.

faq219-2884

Gerry
My paintings and sculpture