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]

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.

--
Regards,
Jay Freedman
Microsoft Word MVP FAQ: http://word.mvps.org
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