Apache OpenOffice (AOO) Bugzilla – Issue 109523
Parallel Book Columns feature in Writer
Last modified: 2014-08-18 15:54:16 UTC
This is a feature that is lacking from all versions of open office 1, 2 and 3. AS the suite has become more professional, it is now time to add this feature of parallel columns to the Writer. It is a desperately needed feature for many book writers, editors, and printers -- and it would really enhance the stature of Open Office further above MS Word. The basic needs are summarized in this Q: http://user.services.openoffice.org/en/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=27859 Think of column flow DOWN pages (not across a page, like newspaper columns)-- column 1 of the odd page always carries down as column 1 of the odd pages, and likewise for the other columns on odd or even pages. It is essential to allow for different setups of the odd and even pages, as this is how most books large are printed. The column layouts of the odd pages are different than the even, as are the footer and header layouts. It seems fairly easy to add this feature to the current set of Writer features. All you need is a "parallel columns" choice, and these sub-choices: 1. make odd-page layout different(or same as) the even page layout 2. make odd page footer/header layouts different (or same as) even pages There is a page setup for the odd pages and another for the even pages. When in column mode, Writer needs only check whether the new page is odd or even, to decide the format. There also needs to be a way to change number of columns in each layout without affecting the other. Then in 2 page facing view, all columns are lined up, and remain synchronized, as the user scrolls down the pages. Line synchronization is a crucial feature. Obsolete WordPerfect used to do this (Word dropped it, and used tables, which OO followed). In both cases, the layout is unstable over long numbers of pages, and is too easy in WordPerfect to destroy by accidentally moving a column line, or in Word, by accidentally changing the table column size while editing. Even in OO Writer, it is not possible to develop different column layouts for odd and even pages, and have them persist down the pages. Even if a table is made, one cannot synchronize the lines, sentences or paragraphs without having to repeatedly make new cells. Also, a table change affects both pages, but in parallel column book mode, the left pages are totally independent of the right. Remember, when it comes to printing a book, you need separate pages in the editor to be able to print the pages separately -- i.e. you cannot use a large page size like 11x17 in landscape mode with 4 columns, because you can't print the left and right "pages" separately -- hence you cannot print the book. Think how easily this new feature can be added to Writer. It is the most valuable enhancement you can add to the product -- no current word processor does it correctly (Lotus WordPro and Wordperfect used to, but both fail at maintaining the layout -- they are not robust). OO writer could do this easily.
This issue mixes several wishes and therefore cannot be handled properly. The wish for parallel columns is already tracked in issue 17960. Different layout for columns on right and left pages is possible for page columns, but not for columns in sections or tables. This issue should focus on the wish to have different layout of sections and tables on left and right pages. Please change the summary. I do not know, what you mean with "you can't print the left and right "pages" separately". If they are pages, you can of cause print "only right pages" and "only left pages". Please describe your wish more exact. "make odd page footer/header layouts different (or same as) even pages". That is already possible. I do not understand your remark on book printing. OOo prints books using the setting 'brochure'. If your printer can print on DINA4, you can get a DINA4 brochure in unsewn binding, or get a DINA5 book with folded sheets of paper. The possible sizes depend on your printer, not on OOo. You can write on arbitrary size.
regina -- "can't print the left and right "pages" separately" I was simply referring to the idea of putting up both pages in a 2x wide format on 11x17 page size. It looks great on screen, but at print time, you can't print the left half of the 11x17 sheet as one page and the right half as the next page. Sorry if you misunderstood why a bigger landscape doesn't work. You say -- "Different layout for columns on right and left pages is possible for page columns". Yes, but how do you get any column to wrap down to the same column on the next odd or even page number? That is the CRUX of this issue, and it is why one cannot separate the concepts of parallel columns from different column layouts for odd and even pages. Once you create different layouts for odd and even pages, then the issue of parallel columns to completely tied to it -- they cannot be separated. If the columns on an even page wrapped to the next odd page number, the entire text would be rendered in the wrong formatting. Yes I have since read post 17960 -- it is very old, the need is not described in detail, and the posters have used the old work-arounds of tables and frames, which I have found do not work with long documents where synchronization of the parallel columns is required. A fresh look at the reasons why this should be treated as a separate format issue -- and not try to use work-arounds, I feel is worthwhile. It will immensely improve OO's scope and appeal I think. I posted on that other thread a request to transfer interest to my new thread. You may say this is impossible, so not knowing procedures as you do, you are welcome to make changes or do whatever you feel is needed to keep this request alive. You will notice on the old thread that the issue DIED 3 years ago. Can it be revived so developers consider it for V3 -- not V. 1 and 2?
correction -- "the issue of parallel columns *IS* completely tied to it"
This issue is highly related to issue 17960. Perhaps even duplicate. I propose to collect votes and concentrate on issue 17960 and close this here as duplicate.
Please close this one and report the votes on Issue 17960. This report has been mentioned for the rationale if needed.
*** This issue has been confirmed by popular vote. ***
There is no mechanism to transfer votes, each voter needs to do it himself. *** This issue has been marked as a duplicate of issue 17960 ***