How Do I Break a Column in OpenOffice?

Breaking a column in OpenOffice allows you to control the flow of text, forcing content from one column to continue into the next, even if the current column isn't completely filled. This is useful for precise layout and design, ensuring your document's content appears exactly where you intend.

Methods to Control Column Text Flow

You can achieve text breaks into subsequent columns through two primary methods: setting a general distribution preference or by inserting a specific manual break.

1. Using the "Evenly Distribute Contents to All Columns" Option

This method is ideal when you want OpenOffice to automatically balance your text across all columns within a selected section or page. Instead of simply filling one column completely before moving to the next, this setting aims for a more uniform distribution of content across all available columns.

How to Apply Even Distribution:

1. Select the Relevant Text or Section: Ensure your cursor is positioned within the text or section where you have multiple columns defined and wish to apply this distribution.
2. Access Column Settings: Navigate to the main menu, click on Format, and then select Columns.... This will open the column selection window.
3. Choose Even Distribution: Within the "Columns" dialog box, locate and select the option labeled "Evenly distribute contents to all columns" or a similar phrasing.
4. Confirm: Click OK to apply these changes to your document.

• Practical Insight: This option is best suited for documents like newsletters, brochures, or academic papers where you want a visually balanced appearance for articles or sections that span multiple columns, without needing to manually adjust text flow.

2. Inserting a Manual Column Break

For precise, on-demand control over where your text flows into the next column, a manual column break is the most direct approach. This acts as a fixed insertion point, immediately shifting any subsequent text to the beginning of the next available column.

Steps to Insert a Manual Column Break:

1. Position Your Cursor: Place your cursor exactly at the point where you want the current column to end and the following text to begin in the next column.
2. Access Break Options: Go to the main menu at the top of your OpenOffice window.
3. Select Manual Break: Click on Insert, then hover over or click Manual Break....
4. Choose Column Break: In the "Insert Break" dialog box that appears, select the "Column Break" option.
5. Confirm: Click OK to insert the break.

• Example: If you're designing a two-column layout and want a new heading to always start at the very top of the second column, regardless of how much text is in the first, you would place a manual column break right before that heading.
• Tip: Be mindful that a manual column break is a static element. If you later delete text before it, the break will remain, potentially creating an empty space at the end of a column. You may need to review and adjust or remove the break if your content changes significantly.

Feature	Evenly Distribute Contents	Manual Column Break
Purpose	Balance text across columns automatically.	Force text to the next column at a specific point.
Control Level	General layout setting.	Precise, point-specific control.
Trigger	Setting in the Format > Columns dialog.	Explicit insertion by user via Insert > Manual Break.
Best For	Balanced articles, general text flow, sections aiming for visual equality.	Headings, new sections, precise design, avoiding widows/orphans across columns.

By understanding and utilizing these two distinct methods, you can effectively manage text flow and achieve your desired document layout and professional appearance in OpenOffice.