When to use columns vs a table?

[Jack]

In Word 2003, I'm trying to layout out a page with margins so that I can run
my main text next to the left, but leave about 2 inches of white space on the
right into which I can place figures, text boxes, etc. When I set my margins
to give me that wide margin, it narrows my header as well. How can I set up
the page so that the header runs the full width of a page, but still get the
page layout I want? I thought of a one row table, but the docuemnt is going
to run 30-50 pages, with lots of sections, and I worry that I'll be screwing
around with section breaks. Help! (please)

 

[Jay Freedman]

In Word 2003, I'm trying to layout out a page with margins so that I can run
my main text next to the left, but leave about 2 inches of white space on the
right into which I can place figures, text boxes, etc. When I set my margins
to give me that wide margin, it narrows my header as well. How can I set up
the page so that the header runs the full width of a page, but still get the
page layout I want? I thought of a one row table, but the docuemnt is going
to run 30-50 pages, with lots of sections, and I worry that I'll be screwing
around with section breaks. Help! (please)

There are two possibilities, neither of which involves either multiple
columns or tables.

1. Leave the margins at full width, but set a 2-inch right *indent* in
the paragraph styles for the body text, headings, etc.

2. Change the margins, and set a negative right indent in the header
paragraph (enter -2" in the Paragraph format).

If you do use a table, it won't be one row -- wherever you want to
align something in the right column with specific text in the left
column, you need to start a new row there. It's a good idea to start a
new table at least every 5 to 10 pages, and you'll have to start a new
one wherever you need to insert a section break for any other reason.

General advice about tables vs. columns is in
http://www.word.mvps.org/FAQs/Formatting/UsingColumns.htm. You may
also find good help in
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/TableBasics.htm and
http://word.mvps.org/FAQs/TblsFldsFms/ControlPgBrksInTables.htm.