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I am experimenting with putting different formats on the same page. I want to start with a single column and continue with that for a few lines and then switch to two columns. I am able to set that up ok. Now I would like to switch back to a single column. The trouble is to get from one column to another when I had two columns I had to press enter and go all the way to the bottom of the page and then it starts on the next column. If I were to start say in the left column and try and to to the right column by clicking it does not do it. Well now that is throwing off my formatting. If I start at the bottom of the page and try and delete all of those paragraph symbols before I get to the point where I want to change back to a single column it starts erasing my text in the right hand column!
If I try and switch back to a single column without erasing all of those paragraph symbols it switches down at the bottom of the page instead of up where I want it! It would be a whole lot easier if while I was working on my columns when I finished putting text in the left column I could just switch to the right without going to the bottom of the page but I do not know how to do it. It says in the idiots book on page 242 that you can switch from one column to another by clicking. But that only works if there is already text in the column you are trying to switch to. Likewise for the arrow keys. Once I have put all those paragraph symbols in to get to the right column is there a way to erase them without disturbing the text in my columns?
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Answer accepted by question author
If you want to be able to type freely in both columns, you should not use text columns, but a table with two columns. You can then click or press Tab to move to the next column and Shift+Tab to move back, whether there is text in the columns or not.
Answer accepted by question author
You can also insert a column break using the shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Enter.
Answer accepted by question author
Go to the Page Layout tab and in the Page Setup section of the ribbon, click on the Breaks pulldown and insert a Column Break.
Answer accepted by question author
Click anywhere in the table.
Activate the Layout tab of the ribbon.
In the Table group, click Properties.
Activate the Table tab of the Table Properties dialog (if necessary).
Set Text Wrapping to None, then click OK.
Don't drag the table around any more. It will now move with the text.
No, no, no... He doesn't want tables. Why do all of you geeks make it so difficult for the average computer user? The simplest solution is Shift + Command + Enter. That moves a person from one column to the next without doing all the ridiculous steps you geniuses suggest.
C'mon people, get out of the office more and live a little.