Apache OpenOffice Community Forum

Attached is a sample front page of a newsletter created with an old Microsoft Works word processing program. It was one of several newsletter template styles available through the program's "wizard" that a user can select pre-formatted as an alternative to creating a style from scratch.
As a new and inexperienced user of Writer, trying to learn from various tutorials, reading the forum, and generally just practicing with the progam, I have not yet been able to determine how I would accomplish a similar-looking front page format as shown in the attached file. That is, to begin with I especially cannot see how to get the sideways (or vertical) wording, that big-lettered word NEWSLETTER that is turned vertically like that.
Are there any suggestions on how I would proceed with Writer to basically get a duplication of that big-lettered sideways title, or any other suggestions/comments otherwise on a good approach to duplicating the front page (as shown) with Writer? thanks

Writer is not the easiest program to use for complex page layouts, but that is not too difficult.

1. Format page, three columns.
2. Insert manual break, column break.
3. Position cursor in first column
4. Format, Character, Position, Rotate 90°
5. Format font, 90 point or thereabouts, and type your Newsletter title.
6. Select the Table of Contents paragraphs, then format paragraph, border, all four sides.
   Put the Newsletter header in a frame spanning the second and third columns. Type the text inside, set the borders to none, and the background colour to black or whatever. If you set it to black, Oo will automatically set the font colour to white.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote: Format font, 90 point or thereabouts, and type your Newsletter title.

Select the Table of Contents paragraphs, then format paragraph, border, all four sides.

Thank you Bhikkhu. Following your suggested steps I was having good success, until after typing the newletter title (first step quoted above). After typing the newsletter title I assume I need to move the cursor to the next column over before proceeding to the next step (also as quoted above). However, after typing the title I cannot seem to figure out how to get the cursor to move out of the title column . Please further advise, and thanks again.

Just click with the mouse. View Text boundaries may help. Perhaps your cursor ended up in the header.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:Just click with the mouse. View Text boundaries may help. Perhaps your cursor ended up in the header.

With my cursor placed anywhere within the text of the title (doesn't matter where), whenever I click anywhere outside of the title boundary with mouse, the cursor just pops directly up past the last letter of the title text (past the top boundary into the header) and stays there regardless of where I try to place the cursor by clicking anywhere outside the boundary of the title. The only place I can seem to move the cursor by clicking the mouse is between letters title text within the title boundary, or directly into the header just past the top boundary of the title text, but that's it. When I click with the mouse anywhere else but inside the title boundary, the blinking cursor just remains stationary at the location I mention.
I did try View Text boundaries and that did not help.
I'm stuck here , and more help would be appreciated.
thanks again

It looks like you missed item number 2 — insert manual column break.

I'm not sure I understand what you're after, so this may be totally off base.

When you use multiple columns in Writer, the columns are not independent areas, such as the cells of a table. In fact, it's just like a single-column page: you can't type a title at the top, then click at the bottom of the page and expect to leave a big empty gap. You can only put the cursor where there is already text. Once you add enough text to fill up the entire first column, then the text will automatically overflow into the next column.

If you want to leave a gap, you have to insert a manual column break.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:It looks like you missed item number 2 — insert manual column break.

Thanks Bhikku. Got the cursor to be able to move into the second column this time by making sure to perform step two (inserting the column break). I was fairly certain I did that the first time as I followed your step-by-step suggestions, but apparently I didn't.

Now, however, I am lost again at step 6, "Select the Table of Contents paragraphs, then format paragraph, border, all four sides". Unsure quite what you meant, with the blinking cursor now positioned at the top line within the second column I typed some sample text (which would be considered my table of contents paragraphs) and highlighted it (assuming that's what you mean by "select the table of contents paragraph," then, with the text highlighted, selected Format, Paragraph, Border. But when I do that my "table of contents" text (or paragraphs) does not get any border applied, instead it just remans there un-bordered. Could you please clarify for me what you mean by "table of contents paragraphs"? My assumption is it's the text as shown located in first bordered box in the sample pdf newsletter? If my assumption is incorrect then that's probably where I'm getting off track. Also, by "select" do you mean highlight or am I again misunderstanding?
And thanks again!

acknak wrote:I'm not sure I understand what you're after, so this may be totally off base...
If you want to leave a gap, you have to insert a manual column break.

Yes, thanks acknak for that explanation regarding the moving the cursor around within the columns and the necessity for inserting manual column breaks. As a beginner I need all the basic help I can get, getting used to the Writer program. Just for practice I'm trying to see how close I can come to duplicating the sample (pdf) newsletter I initially posted in this thread, to help me get the "feel" of some of the Writer features insofar as formatting, styles, etc. I appreciate your help/input.

sgull wrote:I typed some sample text (which would be considered my table of contents paragraphs) and highlighted it then, with the text highlighted, selected Format, Paragraph, Border. But when I do that my "table of contents" text (or paragraphs) does not get any border applied, instead it just remans there un-bordered.

Right so far, but you didn't select which borders to apply a line style to.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:Right so far, but you didn't select which borders to apply a line style to.

Yes! In the borders format selection I did initially notice the options for the various line arrangements, but neglected to comprehend the apparent (and now obvious) important significance of specifying by selecting an "arrangement" to get the desired border result. Thanks for pointing that out, I see now, got the paragraph border to work and have a better understanding on that.

Next, I attempted to "Put the Newsletter header in a frame spanning the second and third columns." So, with my cursor placed at beginning of the top line of the second column, I did Insert, Frame. In the Frame descriptions I experimented a little with settings under the (Frame) Types tab, then a little more under the (Frame) Columns tab, trying to get the frame to end up spanning the second and third columns, but to no avail. I'm at a loss now trying to create a frame which spans the second and third columns. I tried, I really tried. Please advise Thanks.

You don't need columns within the frame. Just stretch it with the mouse and position it where you want. For precise positioning, use the dialogue. Anchor the frame to the paragraph, place it in the second column, position left of paragraph text area, top of paragraph.

View, Text boundaries will help with layout if using the mouse.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote: Just stretch it with the mouse and position it where you want. For precise positioning, use the dialogue. Anchor the frame to the paragraph, place it in the second column, position left of paragraph text area, top of paragraph.

Okay, spanning the frame across the second two columns was easy, once I was made aware that frames can be stretched and positioned with the mouse. No wonder I was having trouble with that! Also, I did anchor the frame and positioned it as you suggested using the Frame dialog box, that worked out well.

Next, I typed the text inside the frame, and, with the cursor positioned within the frame, I made the effort to set the borders to none and the background color to black. The background color changed to black (as the text then changed to white). However, even though I did Paragraph, Border, Line Style none, and Line arrangement none (default), I continue to have a border visible around my frame which just doesn't disappear for me (even looking at Page Preview). Please again be kind enough to enlighten me on my oversight this time, and thanks again.

One more question also: What is the specific purpose of "anchoring" a frame at a certain place? To prevent it from somehow being inadvertantly or unintentionally moved?

sgull wrote:One more question also: What is the specific purpose of "anchoring" a frame at a certain place? To prevent it from somehow being inadvertantly or unintentially moved?

No, an anchor is simply a base for OOo to calculate where in the document the image should be. Every frame and image has a default anchor whether or not you specify one. But you'll also find that the anchor moves when you click and drag an image around on the page, as OOo tries to recalculate as precisely as possible where you need the image. There is currently no way to pin or lock the anchor in place, although that has been requested.
Let user pin down the anchor point while moving objects
Anchoring Drawing Objects created by Writer and Undo

sgull wrote:Next, I typed the text inside the frame, and, with the cursor positioned within the frame, I made the effort to set the borders to none and the background color to black. The background color changed to black (as the text then changed to white). However, even though I did Paragraph, Border, Line Style none, and Line arrangement none (default), I continue to have a border visible around my frame which just doesn't disappear for me (even looking at Page Preview).

The frame has borders and a background too. Check the frame properties.

Bhikkhu Pesala wrote:The frame has borders and a background too. Check the frame properties.

Please describe the method by which checking frame properties can be accomplished.

So far my practice document appears as shown in attachment. I'm confused now about background and borders of text (or paragraphs) within a particular frame in contrast to an apparent ability to select different options for background and borders of the frame itself.

If you'd like a sample document based on your example, just ask. I'd be happy to put one together.

I only hesitate because you'll probably learn more by doing it yourself. The downside of course is that it takes a lot longer.

acknak wrote:If you'd like a sample document based on your example, just ask. I'd be happy to put one together.I only hesitate because you'll probably learn more by doing it yourself. The downside of course is that it takes a lot longer.

Yes, if you could create a sample document based on the example (as attached to my initial post in this topic), it could serve as a helpful learning tool for me if some specific methodology could be noted regarding how some (or most probably) of the formatting was accomplished (something like a step-by-step listing I could also try to follow). In effect I would still be "doing it myself" but with guidance from a more experienced user of the Writer program. If this sounds like something you wouldn't mind helping me with, I certainly would appreciate such assistance. Thanks acknak.

Just for what it's worth, the Writer Guide does walk you through creating documents, applying styles, formatting changes, etc., so it serves very well as both a tutorial guide and a reference source. You can create documents and follow right along with it. You might want to work with it first, and then try your re-creation project again. (See the links in my sig line below for online and PDF versions of the documentation.)

This is hardly a finished template or example, but maybe it will get you started.

I had forgotten what a painful experience this is. Writer can do most of what a "desktop publishing" application can do, but it really takes a lot of knowledge of the software, and a lot of effort, and a lot of trial and error, interspersed with a great deal of swearing

I would agree with Fox, you may want to take some time and read through the Writer Guide, at least to familiarize yourself with the features and terminology involved.

Once you get the first issue set up, and get used to the way Writer wants you to do things, it won't be so bad.

I set this up as a three-columned document, with a separate first page style. However, I used text frames anchored "as character" for some of the "stories", so that they can be linked to frames on following pages. This allows text to flow from one to the other. However, there is no automatic way to handle the "Continued on/from page X". You have to add that yourself.

I tried to set up some custom styles, but I've not gone through and done a thorough job of it. There's still a lot of direct formatting.

I set up references to the story titles for the table of contents, to get the page #'s in the TOC to appear automatically. This may be more trouble than it's worth for a monthly newsletter with just a few stories.

Your sample only had one page; I added a footer to the pages after the first, so you have a place for a page number.

Feel free to ask questions about the way I did things; experts: please criticize or make suggestions for improvement.

foxcole wrote:Just for what it's worth, the Writer Guide does walk you through creating documents, applying styles, formatting changes, etc., so it serves very well as both a tutorial guide and a reference source. You can create documents and follow right along with it. You might want to work with it first, and then try your re-creation project again. (See the links in my sig line below for online and PDF versions of the documentation.)

Yes, I definitely will want to work with the Writer Guide as you suggest to at the very least help myself get a grasp on the fundamentals. Thank you.

acknak wrote:This is hardly a finished template or example, but maybe it will get you started...
I would agree with Fox, you may want to take some time and read through the Writer Guide, at least to familiarize yourself with the features and terminology involved...
Feel free to ask questions about the way I did things; experts: please criticize or make suggestions for improvement.

I just now had the opportunity to view your example and read over your last post about some of the ways you created the page(s). Much of what you did so far is similar to what I envision being able to do (insofar as creating the newlsletter). I will be spending some time working with the Writer Guide as you (and foxcole) suggest. As with anything, as I gain familiararity the learning experience should gradually get less painful. Expect more questions, but hopefully not as many of the clueless type. Thanks for the help, the suggestions, and the encouragement.

Why not create the text in Draw, in Text properties select "Fit to Frame." Now rotate the text 90 degrees, drag to the size you need. Now you have a graphic masthead. Don't forget to insert the manual column break.

NTP

Hmm there was supposed to be an attachment with this. Let me try this again.

RevNomad wrote:Why not create the text in Draw, in Text properties select "Fit to Frame." Now rotate the text 90 degrees, drag to the size you need. Now you have a graphic masthead. Don't forget to insert the manual column break.

Yes, the graphic masthead created that way seems a fine way to achieve that result.
Still clueless here, two questions:
1. If I create the text in Draw, how then do I transfer it to the Writer document?
2. Text properties (as mentioned above): Is that within the Draw program or within Writer?

After you create the graphic masthead in Draw simply use Copy/Paste to put into Writer. Writer treats it as a graphic, actually as a "Draw" object. Which gives you more flexibility in manipulating it.

The text properties item is in writer. Right click on the masthead>select text should take you to the formatting options you need. I'd do screen shots only I have no idea how.
NTP

RevNomad wrote:After you create the graphic masthead in Draw simply use Copy/Paste to put into Writer.

You can also tile the Writer and Draw windows, and drag-and-drop the image in.

Or you can select the image object in Draw (this is important, make sure the image is selected), export the image to your preferred format, and insert it in Writer using the Insert menu (or Insert Picture from File tool in the Drawing toolbar).

Or you can long-click (double-click but hold after the second click) on the image in Draw, drag it into the Gallery and drag-and-drop it from the Gallery into your Writer document. This is a handy method for images you will reuse often.

RevNomad wrote:After you create the graphic masthead in Draw simply use Copy/Paste to put into Writer. Writer treats it as a graphic, actually as a "Draw" object. Which gives you more flexibility in manipulating it. The text properties item is in writer. Right click on the masthead>select text should take you to the formatting options you need. I'd do screen shots only I have no idea how.

Thank you. I''ll try that method and let you know if it works out for me.

foxcole wrote:You can also tile the Writer and Draw windows, and drag-and-drop the image in. Or you can select the image object in Draw (this is important, make sure the image is selected), export the image to your preferred format, and insert it in Writer using the Insert menu (or Insert Picture from File tool in the Drawing toolbar). Or you can long-click (double-click but hold after the second click) on the image in Draw, drag it into the Gallery and drag-and-drop it from the Gallery into your Writer document. This is a handy method for images you will reuse often.

I like the idea of utilizing the Gallery for images I will reuse often, which would be the case for the newsletter title. Thanks for all the specific suggestions. I really should try them all just for the practice.