LAYOUT problems in Pages

Question

I am new to Pages. I am trying to produce a newsletter and I am having trouble with the layout and column parts. I tried to vary the column width and followed the directions in the pdf manual. But it isn't working for me. I probably need a step by step instruction sheet. Help!

Answer 1

DD,
You might want to look into text boxes. I do several newsletters and use the boxes exclusively. When you create a text box, first click outside the margins so that the box will be "Fixed on page" rather than "Moves with text." Or you can change from the latter to the former after the box is created by going to the Wrap Inspector and making that choice. You can also uncheck the "Object causes wrap" in the same Inspector. You can now move the box around as you choose and resize it as needed.
If you haven't already done so, it helps to show Layout, Invisibles and Rulers (View menu).
From this point I usually work in one of two ways: 1- drag the box the full width of the page and then set for the number of columns I want, or 2- drag the width of the box for a single column and then create additional boxes for additional columns. In either case, drag the bottom of the box (or boxes) to the depth needed.
When the text overflows, a little blue box appears on the lower right side of the text box (it looks like a handle, but it's not). Click on this and a new linked box will appear. (The little side box will now become solid blue to indicate the text is continued in another box.) Drag and position the new box where you want it. These multiple boxes can be of different widths if you so desire. This allows you to have the first paragraph (or portion thereof) the full page width and the rest of the article two or three (or more) columns below it. (In the second box you can use either method 1 or method 2 above.) As you go along you will think of more ways to use text boxes.
Happy Paging,
Walt