I would like a Columns Button in toolbars...

skogs · Newbie Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

Honestly, I like how the general format setup is done with ooo and I think it is much better thought out and set up. However, I need to be able to change column settings frequently. Some things are better in two columns than one, and paragraph styles etc just don't touch the column aspect.

Seriously, its the only thing that MSWord does correctly and best...Simple button for columns, you click on it, hold, and drag over as many columns as you want your selection/futuretext to be. Super simple, requires only 1 mouse click, and no typing.

Please, please somebody figure out an applet that can do this and add it into the next release, or better yet, start a fork of ooo and let me know about it.

thank you in advance for at least reading this.

Anybody that agrees that my idea is a good one, please post below and bump this.

Dale · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 9:39 pm Post subject:

I think you already know this, but:

Format > Page, select Columns tab
or for less than a page -
Insert > Section, select Columns tab.

- It's not what you're asking for. (Info only.)
- It probably would not be too hard to write/record a macro and assign a shortcut key.
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RealGrouchy · Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2006 11:19 pm Post subject:

Is there not a button available in the "Customize toolbars" area?
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DGehman · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 2:51 am Post subject:

Bhikkhu Pesala · Posted: Tue Feb 07, 2006 3:41 am Post subject:

Open Office uses page styles. If you change the number of columns it will apply to all pages using that style. If you are in the habit of using multiple column layouts on the same page, you need to use sections. You can add a button for Insert section, which has a flyout to select the number of columns. Unfortunately, it suffers from the same problem as that mentioned by DGehman — the default spacing between columns is zero Rolling Eyes

so you have to open the format columns menu anyway.
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skogs · Newbie Joined: 11 Mar 2005 Posts: 4

Thanks DGehman, I swear I've looked specifically for that damn menu button on the add toolbar thing a dozen times.

It is a bit more work than what I'm used to...with all the extra selecting and the obvious format fix for a more realistic padding between columns....but I think I'll survive.

It is easier than doing the menu driven approach completly. I guess I'll also try recording a macro for it, although I do generally try to shy away from becoming macro-dependant. We'll see what works I spose. Still be a nice usability improvement for the deal to be there automatically...and work as slick as the 'other' office program.