section breaks won't hold

[Guest]

I've got a 4 page 8 1/2x 11 document with different #'s of columns on each
page. So, I just entered section breaks (either page breaks or continuous)
at the end of each page and formatted them individually, as four individual
sections. No problem.
But, I use this document and use new text in it each week and when I get to
typing the breaks seem to move. I'll place my cursor on page 3 for ex. and
change to 3 columns and pages 2 and 3 go to 3 columns. Ughhhhhhhh!!
Q. shouldn't a break hold on a saved document?
Q. when I want to re-format (change columns, etc.) a section do I place the
cursor at the very bottom of the section, top of the section, or anywhere in
the section?

Thanks in advance for all of you Word 2003 experts' help.
Doug

 

[CyberTaz]

First, understand that Word does not have any concept of what a 'page' is.
Section Breaks - like everything else - are inserted into the flow of the
text. As the content is modified, the Section Breaks shift accordingly, so
when you revise a sectioned document it is frequently necessary to remove
existing section breaks, then reinsert them in the appropriate new
locations. The indication of what section you are in hasn't much to do with
the 'page' you're on - take a look at the Status Bar to determine what
section you're in. When you make a change, that is the section that will be
affected.

Turn on the non-printing characters in the document (Show/Hide button on the
Standard Toolbar) to see where the breaks actually are, then adjust
accordingly. You may even find that if you deleted content you also may have
deleted the section breaks you think are still there or they may be on a
different 'page' than where you created them originally. You'll also do much
better if you learn to use Normal View rather than relying on Print Layout
View when editing a sectioned document.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[CyberTaz]

First, understand that Word does not have any concept of what a 'page' is.
Section Breaks - like everything else - are inserted into the flow of the
text. As the content is modified, the Section Breaks shift accordingly, so
when you revise a sectioned document it is frequently necessary to remove
existing section breaks, then reinsert them in the appropriate new
locations. The indication of what section you are in hasn't much to do with
the 'page' you're on - take a look at the Status Bar to determine what
section you're in. When you make a change, that is the section that will be
affected.

Turn on the non-printing characters in the document (Show/Hide button on the
Standard Toolbar) to see where the breaks actually are, then adjust
accordingly. You may even find that if you deleted content you also may have
deleted the section breaks you think are still there or they may be on a
different 'page' than where you created them originally. You'll also do much
better if you learn to use Normal View rather than relying on Print Layout
View when editing a sectioned document.

HTH |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Guest]

So, Cyber, when I DELETE the previous weeks text in order to prepare the new
weeks' document, I have also deleted my section breaks so therefore I need to
reformat?
Bummer..............

The only thing with NORMAL View is that when I am typing I can't figure out
where the columns end and where the page ends, etc. in order to figure my
document page spacing as I can with Print view. It's all in one left hand
column of text that runs on endlessly.

Can you help, please?

 

[Guest]

So, Cyber, when I DELETE the previous weeks text in order to prepare the new
weeks' document, I have also deleted my section breaks so therefore I need to
reformat?
Bummer..............

The only thing with NORMAL View is that when I am typing I can't figure out
where the columns end and where the page ends, etc. in order to figure my
document page spacing as I can with Print view. It's all in one left hand
column of text that runs on endlessly.

Can you help, please?

 

[Jezebel]

The simple answer is: re-design the document for its purpose. Your current
design is causing you grief and wasting your time. A document that you
update weekly is primarily a data-entry tool, and should be designed
accordingly. Either your current design is inherently faulty, or it's too
complex for its intended use and its users' skill level. Think about what
you're trying to achieve, and design a document that makes that easy. Do you
really need columns and section breaks at all?

 

[Jezebel]

The simple answer is: re-design the document for its purpose. Your current
design is causing you grief and wasting your time. A document that you
update weekly is primarily a data-entry tool, and should be designed
accordingly. Either your current design is inherently faulty, or it's too
complex for its intended use and its users' skill level. Think about what
you're trying to achieve, and design a document that makes that easy. Do you
really need columns and section breaks at all?

 

[Graham Mayor]

You shouldn't be deleting text to prepare a new document. Save the formatted
document (without the text) as a template and create new documents from it.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[Graham Mayor]

You shouldn't be deleting text to prepare a new document. Save the formatted
document (without the text) as a template and create new documents from it.

--
<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>
Graham Mayor - Word MVP

My web site www.gmayor.com

<>>< ><<> ><<> <>>< ><<> <>>< <>><<>

 

[CyberTaz]

If you reveal the *non-printing characters* as described in my previous
reply everything you "can't figure out" will be revealed in your doc. It
just takes a little getting used to - that's why I suggested *learning* to
use Normal, not to simply *use* Normal.

As the others have suggested, however, if this is a doc that has to have a
new issue generated weekly, you really should design a Template and base the
new issues on that rather than attempting to 'revise' a prior edition.

 

[CyberTaz]

If you reveal the *non-printing characters* as described in my previous
reply everything you "can't figure out" will be revealed in your doc. It
just takes a little getting used to - that's why I suggested *learning* to
use Normal, not to simply *use* Normal.

As the others have suggested, however, if this is a doc that has to have a
new issue generated weekly, you really should design a Template and base the
new issues on that rather than attempting to 'revise' a prior edition.