WordPerfect lets you format a document by modifying the physical arrangement of information on pages. For example, you can adjust page size, margins, and tabs. You can also add columns to documents. When formatting pages, you can modify the format of an entire page or a portion of a page.
In this section, you'll learn about
setting page margins
choosing page size and orientation
customizing page sizes
specifying single-sided or double-sided pages for a document
forcing a new page
using hard and soft returns
centering text vertically
viewing page count information
adjusting paragraph spacing
changing line spacing and height
adding tab stops
changing the alignment of tab stops
moving tab stops
removing and restoring tab stops
inserting leaders and specifying leader characters
inserting hard tabs using codes
creating and deleting columns
changing column spacing and gutter width
inserting a vertical line between columns
inserting and editing delay codes
Setting page margins
WordPerfect lets you set margins using various methods. You can set margins by using guidelines. Guidelines are vertical or horizontal dotted lines that are displayed on pages. You can also set margins using exact measurements or the ruler.
All margin settings affect the current page and subsequent pages until you change them.
To set the margins using the margin guidelines
1 Click View Guidelines.
2 Enable the Margins check box.
3 Point to one of the following guidelines:
left vertical dotted guideline
right vertical dotted guideline
upper horizontal dotted guideline
lower horizontal dotted guideline
The pointer changes to a double-sided arrow.
4 Drag the guideline to a new position.
To set the margins using exact measurements
1 Click in the document where you want the margin changes to start.
2 Click Format Margins.
3 Click the Page setup tab.
4 In the Document margins area, type values in any of the following boxes:
Left-lets you specify where the left margin starts
Right-lets you specify where the right margin starts
Top-lets you specify where the top margin starts
Bottom-lets you specify where the bottom margin starts
You can also
Set all margins to the last margin value edited In the Document margins area, click Equal.
Set all margins to the minimum size allowed by the current printer In the Document margins area, click Minimum.
Tip
You can also set margins by clicking File Page setup.
To set the margins using the ruler
1 Point to the Margin marker to the left or right of the ruler.
The pointer changes to a double-sided arrow.
2 Drag the Margin marker to a new location on the ruler.
Choosing page size and orientation
When creating documents, you can choose the size and orientation of pages. The page size and orientation determines how a printer formats and prints pages. You can choose from preset page sizes, or you can create your own. For more information about creating custom page sizes, see "Customizing page sizes."
Page sizes are matched to the printer you have selected. A size may not be available when you change to another printer or a different computer. If the same size is not available, WordPerfect finds the best match for a page size, selecting from those available with the other printer. If the match does not work, you may need to customize a page size.
To select a preset page size
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Page setup tab.
3 From the Page definition list box, choose one of the following:
Printer page types-lists all page size options for installed printers
Standard page types-lists all page size options for most printers
4 Choose a page definition from the Page definition list.
5 In the Page definition applies to area, enable one of the following options:
Current and following pages-applies the page definitions to the current and following pages
Current page only-applies the page definitions to the current page only
Note
If you apply the page size definition to the current page only, WordPerfect inserts a delay code in the next page. For more information about delay codes, see "Inserting and editing delay codes."
To specify page orientation
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Page setup tab.
3 In the Orientation area, enable one of the following options:
Portrait-prints the document on pages that have a higher length than width
Landscape-prints the document on pages that have greater width than height
Customizing page sizes
If you require a page size that is not available in WordPerfect, you can create a custom page size. When you create a custom page size, it is added to the printer's page size selection as a preset. You can do this by creating a page size or modifying a preset page size. When you create a custom page size, it is added to the printer's page size selection. Therefore, you can apply the custom size to more than one document. If you no longer require the custom or modified page sizes, you can delete the page size or restore the default page sizes.
In addition, you can divide a physical page into several logical pages. Dividing pages is useful when you want to create small documents, such as pamphlets, raffle tickets, or business cards.
As you edit a document, each logical page is treated as a separate page. The document window also changes to show the dimensions of the logical page. After you fill a logical page, the text continues on the next logical page.
To create a custom page size
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Page setup tab.
3 Click Add.
4 In the Add new form dialog box, type a name for the new page size in the Name box.
5 Choose a predefined paper type from the Type list box.
6 Choose a predefined paper size from the Size list box.
If you want to create a page size definition from a nonstandard paper size, choose User defined size from the Size list box.
7 Type values in the following boxes:
Width
Height
8 Choose a paper source from the Source list box.
You can also
Display the available page size definitions for all the installed printers In the Show page size for area, enable the All printers option.
Display the available page size definitions for the printer you have selected In the Show page size for area, enable the Current printer only option.
Specify a vertical printing adjustment In the Printing adjustment area, choose an adjustment from the Vertical list box. Type a value in the box.
Specify a horizontal printing adjustment In the Printing adjustment area, choose an adjustment from the Horizontal list box. Type a value in the box.
Notes
The paper source is not saved as part of the document. It must be redefined for each document.
All printers have a nonprintable zone. If information is formatted to print in this area, it will not print. To shift information out of the nonprintable zone, you must specify printing adjustments.
To modify a preset page size
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Page setup tab.
3 Choose a page definition from the Page definition list.
4 Click Edit.
5 Modify any of the settings.
To delete a page size
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Page setup tab.
3 From the Page definition list box, choose one of the following:
Printer page types-lists all page size options for installed printers
Standard page types-lists all page size options for most printers
4 Choose a page definition from the Page definition list box.
5 Click Delete.
Note
When you delete a page size definition, you can no longer use that definition; a document can print with a similar page definition, but it may not be an exact match.
To restore default page sizes
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Page setup tab.
3 From the Page definition list box, choose one of the following:
Printer page types-lists all page size options for installed printers
Standard page types-lists all page size options for most printers
4 Click Restore.
Note
If you choose Standard page types and click Restore, only the Windows standard options are restored.
To divide a page
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Layout tab.
3 In the Divide pages area, type a value in one of the following boxes:
Columns-lets you divide a page into a specified number of columns
Rows-lets you divide a page into a specified number of rows
Specifying single-sided or double-sided pages for a document
You can set either single- or double-sided pages for a document. For example, if you are printing a book, you would specify double-sided pages. You can set a margin for binding single-sided documents at the top, bottom, or along a side. The settings you choose determine how much margin space is allowed for binding.
You can also set margins for binding double-sided documents. Before setting margins for printing double-sided documents, please read your printer's documentation. The margins you set will depend on how the printer prints double-sided documents.
To set single-sided pages for a document
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Layout tab.
3 In the Two-sided printing area, enable the Off option.
To set double-sided pages for a document
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Layout tab.
3 In the Two-sided printing area, enable one of the following options:
Book (side to side)-lets you print the document for binding at the side of a page, such as binding a book
Tablet (top to bottom)-lets you print the document for binding the top of a page, such as binding a flip chart or a tablet
To set a margin for binding single-sided documents
1 Click Format Margins.
2 Click the Layout tab.
3 In the Two-sided printing area, enable the Off option.
4 Type a value in the Increase margin for box.
5 In the Binding area, enable one of the following options:
Left-lets you increase the left margin for binding purposes
Right-lets you increase the right margin for binding purposes
Top-lets you increase the top margin for binding purposes
Bottom-lets you increase the bottom margin for binding purposes
Tip
You can alternate page binding between left and right or top and bottom by enabling the Alternating check box.
To set a margin for binding double-sided documents
1 Click File Page setup.
2 Click the Layout tab.
3 In the Two-sided printing area, enable one of the following options:
Book (side to side)-lets you print the document for binding at the side of a page, such as a book
Tablet (top to bottom)-lets you print the document for binding at the side of a page, such as a tablet or a flip chart
4 Type a value in the Increase margin for box.
5 In the Two-sided binding area, enable one of the following options:
Inside-lets you change the amount of space for binding on the inside margin
Outside-lets you change the amount of space for binding on the outside margin
Forcing a new page
You can start a new page at any point in a document.
To force a new page
1 Click where you want to start a new page.
2 Click Insert New page.
Note
In draft view, a new page break is displayed as a double line.
Tip
You can also force a new page by pressing Ctrl + Enter.
Using hard and soft returns
You can change the text flow in a document by using hard or soft returns. You can start a new line manually by inserting a hard return. A soft return wraps text to the next line and is inserted automatically by WordPerfect when the line extends beyond the right margin.
To insert a hard return
At the end of a line or paragraph, press Enter.
Notes
A hard return displays as an [HRt] code in the Reveal Codes window. For more information about Reveal Codes, see "Displaying Reveal Codes."
You can also view hard returns by clicking View Show ╢.
To insert a soft return
As you type, WordPerfect automatically inserts a soft return at the end of each line.
Notes
A soft return displays as an [SRt] code in the Reveal Codes window. For more information about Reveal Codes, see "Displaying Reveal Codes."
Centering text vertically
You can center the content vertically, from top to bottom, on a page and on all subsequent pages.
To center text vertically
1 Click Format Page Center.
2 Enable one of the following options:
Center page-centers the content vertically on the page
Current and subsequent pages-centers the content on the current page and all subsequent pages
No centering-inserts text as you type it from the top margin down, without centering it vertically
Viewing page count information
You can view the page count of a document. In addition, you can view information such as paragraph, word, or character count.
To view the total page count
1 Click File Properties.
2 Click the Information tab.
Tip
You can also add the Count pages button to a toolbar and press the button to see the total page count. The Count pages button is in the Features categories list box. For information about adding buttons to toolbars, see "To add a button to a toolbar."
Adjusting paragraph spacing
WordPerfect lets you adjust the amount of space between the page margins and the paragraph text. You can also control the amount of space between paragraphs. For more information about changing line spacing, see "Changing line spacing and height."
To adjust the spacing between the page margins and the paragraph text
1 Click Format Paragraph Format.
2 Choose from the following:
First line indent-sets the spacing between the left page margin and the first word of a paragraph
Left margin adjustment-sets the spacing between the left page margin and the paragraph text
Right margin adjustment-sets the spacing between the right page margin and the paragraph text
Tips
You can adjust the left margin by dragging the Left margin adjust marker on the ruler.
You can adjust the right margin by dragging the Right margin adjust marker on the ruler.
To control the amount of space between paragraphs
1 Click Format Paragraph Format.
2 In the Spacing between paragraphs area, enable the Number of lines option.
3 Type a value in the Number of lines box.
If you prefer specifying the distance in points, enable the Distance in points option and type a value in the box.
Changing line spacing and height
You can adjust the spacing between lines of text and adjust the height of a line. Line height refers to the distance between the top of one line of text and the top of the next line of text. By default, the line height is set according to the font being used, but if you need to, you can change it.
To change the spacing between lines of text
1 Click in the line of text where you want the line spacing change to start.
If you want to limit the spacing change to a specific section of text, select the text.
2 Click Format Line Spacing.
3 Type a value in the Spacing box.
To change the line height
1 Click in the line of text where you want the line height change to begin.
If you want to limit the line height change to a specific section of text, select the text.
2 Click Format Line Height.
3 Enable one of the following options:
Automatic-defines the line height according to the font being used
Fixed-lets you specify the height of the line regardless of the font being used
At least-lets you specify the minimum height of the line
Adding tab stops
Tab stops let you determine where the cursor moves to when you tab forward or tab back in a document. You can add tab stops to a document using exact measurements or using the ruler. You can also copy a tab stop using the ruler or add tab stops at evenly spaced intervals.
To add a tab stop using exact measurements
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click Format Line Tab set.
3 Choose a tab type from the Tab type list box.
4 Type a value in the Tab position box.
5 Enable one of the following options:
From left margin (relative)-measures the distance of the tab stop relative to the left margin. When the left margin changes, the tab stop adjusts accordingly.
From left edge of paper (absolute)-measures the distance of the tab stop from the left edge of the page. When the left margin changes, the tab stop remains fixed.
6 Click Set.
To add a tab stop using the ruler
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click the Tab button, and choose a tab style.
3 On the tab bar, which displays under the ruler, click where you want to add a tab stop.
Note
For the tab bar to appear, the ruler must be displayed.
To copy a tab stop using the ruler
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Hold down Ctrl, and drag the tab stop to another position on the ruler.
To add tab stops at evenly spaced intervals
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click Format Line Tab set.
3 Click Clear all.
4 Enable the Repeat every check box, and type a value in the box.
5 Click Set.
Notes
When you add a tab stop, the Margin icon is displayed in the left margin. Clicking the Margin icon displays a ruler with the settings for the paragraph.
For information about displaying the margin icon, see "To hide or display nonprinting items."
Tip
You can also set tab stop intervals by double-clicking a tab stop on the ruler.
Changing the alignment of tab stops
When using a tab stop, you can specify the tab alignment, which is useful when you want to arrange a column of text in a specific way, such as right-justified or left-justified. You can also specify a decimal alignment. For example, you can align a column of numbers at the decimal point. Tab alignment is also used to create dot leaders. For more information about dot leaders, see "Inserting leaders and specifying leader characters."
To change the alignment of a tab stop
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click Format Line Tab set.
3 Choose a tab type from the Tab type list box.
4 Click Set.
Tip
You can also change the alignment of a tab stop by double-clicking the tab stop on the ruler, choosing a tab type from the Tab type list box, and clicking Set.
To specify a decimal alignment
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click Format Line Tab set.
3 Choose Decimal from the Tab type list box.
4 In the Decimal alignment area, type a character in the Character to align on box.
5 Click Set.
Moving tab stops
WordPerfect lets you move a tab stop. You can position a tab stop relative to the left margin or from the left edge of a page. You can also move a tab stop or multiple tab stops. As you move a tab stop, you can make it automatically align to the ruler gridlines; this is referred to as snapping.
To move a tab stop
1 Click in a paragraph.
2 Drag the tab stop to a new position on the ruler.
Tip
You can also change the position of a tab stop by double-clicking the tab stop on the ruler.
To move multiple tab stops
1 Click in a paragraph.
2 Hold down Shift and drag across the tab stops on the tab bar to select them.
3 Drag the tab stops to a new position.
To make a tab stop snap to ruler gridlines
1 Click Tools Settings.
2 Click Display.
3 In the Display settings dialog box, click the Ruler tab.
4 Enable the Tabs snap to ruler grid check box.
Removing and restoring tab stops
You can remove one tab stop or multiple tab stops. If you've modified the tab stops, you can restore the default tab settings.
To remove a tab stop
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click Format Line Tab set.
3 Click one of the following:
Clear-clears the first tab stop to the left edge of the ruler
Clear all-clears all tab stops
4 Click Set.
Tips
You can remove a tab stop by dragging it off the ruler.
You can also remove all tab stops by right-clicking a tab stop, and clicking Clear all tabs.
To restore the default tab settings
Right-click a paragraph, and click Default tab settings.
Inserting leaders and specifying leader characters
You can set a tab stop with a leader character. A leader is a string of characters that appears between items separated by tab stops. In the following example, the leader characters are the periods between "Item 1," "Item 2," and "Item 3."
Item 1 ....... Item 2 ....... Item 3
A leader helps draw the eye from one tab stop to the next, usually illustrating a relationship between information at the tab stops. For example, you can use leaders in a table of contents to show the page number that corresponds to a title.
The default leader character is a period; however, you can specify other leader characters.
To set a tab stop with a leader character
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click Format Line Tab set.
3 From the Tab type list box, choose one of the following:
Dot left-inserts periods in the empty space to the left of the tab stop
Dot center-inserts periods in the empty space surrounding the centered text
Dot right-inserts periods in the empty space to the right of the tab stop
Dot decimal-inserts periods in the empty space surrounding the decimal-aligned text
4 Click Set.
To specify a leader character
1 Click a paragraph.
2 Click Format Line Tab set.
3 Type a new keyboard character in the Dot leader character box.
4 Type a number in the Spaces between characters box.
5 Click Set.
Tip
You can change a leader character to a non-keyboard character or symbol by pressing Ctrl + W, choosing a character or symbol from the Symbol list, and clicking Insert.
Inserting hard tabs using codes
You can use codes to insert hard tabs and to insert hard tabs with dot leaders. Use a hard tab when you need to insert a tab without changing the tab type. For example, you can add a hard tab to one line in a paragraph and not change the tabs set for the other lines. You can also insert a hard tab with a dot leader. Hard tabs are not affected when you change regular tab settings.
To insert a hard tab
1 Click the beginning of a line.
2 Click Format Line Other codes.
3 In the Hard tabs area, enable one of the following options:
Left [Hd left tab]-inserts a hard tab code that aligns text on the left
Center [Hd center tab]-inserts a hard tab code that aligns text at the center
Right [Hd right tab]-inserts a hard tab code that aligns text on the right
Decimal [Hd dec tab]-inserts a hard tab code that aligns text at the decimal
4 Click Insert.
To insert a hard tab with a dot leader
1 Click the beginning of a line.
2 Click Format Line Other codes.
3 In the Hard tabs with dot leaders area, enable one of the following options:
Left [...Hd left tab]-inserts a hard tab with a dot leader code that aligns text on the left
Center [...Hd center tab]-inserts a hard tab with a dot leader code that aligns text at the center
Right [...Hd right tab]-inserts a hard tab with a dot leader code that aligns text on the right
Decimal [...Hd dec tab]-inserts a hard tab with a dot leader code that aligns text at the decimal
4 Click Insert.
Creating and deleting columns
You can use columns to divide text vertically on a page. You can use four types of columns in documents: newspaper, balanced newspaper, parallel, and parallel with block protect. You can add columns to documents to create newsletters, glossaries, scripts, or inventory lists. You can discontinue columns when they are complete. You can also delete columns and quickly move through columns.
This is an example of newspaper columns. Text in newspaper columns flows down the column to the bottom of a page or column break and starts again at the top of the next column.
This an example of balanced newspaper columns. Balanced newspaper columns are similar to regular newspaper columns, but each column is adjusted on the page so that all columns are equal in length.
This an example of parallel columns. The parallel column text is grouped across the page in a row. The next row starts below the longest column of the previous row. Parallel columns are useful for resumes, scripts, charts, inventory lists, or lists where columns span multiple pages.
This an example of parallel columns with block protect. Parallel columns with block protect keep each row of columns together. If a column in one row becomes so long that it moves across a page break, the entire row moves to the next page. You can also use tables to create this type of column. For information about working with tables, see "Using tables and charts."
To create columns
1 Click a page.
2 Click Format Columns.
3 Type a value in the Number of columns box.
4 In the Type of columns area, enable one of the following options:
Newspaper-makes text flow down a column to the bottom of a page or column break and continues it at the top of the next column
Balanced newspaper-adjusts newspaper columns so that columns are of equal length
Parallel-groups columns across the page in rows, and starts subsequent rows below the longest column of the previous row
Parallel w/block protect-keeps all rows of the columns together across page breaks
Tip
You can also apply columns to a page by clicking the Columns button on the toolbar.
To discontinue columns
1 Click where you want columns to discontinue.
2 Click Format Columns.
3 Click Discontinue.
Tip
Press Ctrl + Enter to end one column and start the next column.
To delete all columns
1 Click in the top-left corner of the first column.
2 Click Format Columns.
3 Click Discontinue.
Tip
You can also delete columns by dragging the COL DEF code out of the Reveal Codes window.
To navigate columns
To move to Press
The top of a column Alt + Home
The last line of a column Alt + End
The previous column Alt + Left Arrow
The next column Alt + Right Arrow
Changing column spacing and gutter width
You can specify column width and the amount of space, which is also referred to as the gutter, that's displayed between columns. In addition, you can adjust the column width using the column guidelines and adjust the gutter width using the ruler.
To specify column and gutter width using exact measurements
1 Click Format Columns.
2 In the Column widths area, type a width value in the Column 1 box.
3 In the Space box, type a value representing the width of white space you want between column 1 and column 2.
If you want to preserve the width of the column or space regardless of the width or margin changes in other columns, enable the Space option's Fixed check box.
4 Type a width value in the Column 2 box.
If you have more than two columns, type a value in each of the subsequent Column and Space boxes.
Note
The gutter width value that displays in the Space box is the same value that displays in the Space between box. Adjustments to the gutter space setting can be made in either box.
Tips
You can change the column width by pointing to the gutter between column guidelines and dragging left or right to resize the columns.
If you are setting the space between parallel columns, or parallel columns with block protect, you can specify the number of lines between rows in the Extra line spacing in parallel columns box.
To change column width using column guidelines
Drag the column guideline to change the column width.
To change gutter width using the ruler
Drag a margin marker to a new location.
Tip
You can change the gutter width by double-clicking the gray space between column width markers, and typing a number in the Space between box.
Inserting a vertical line between columns
You can change the appearance of columns by inserting a vertical line between the columns. This creates a visual separation between the columns.
To insert a vertical line between columns
1 Select a column.
2 Click Format Columns.
3 Click Border/Fill.
4 In the Column border/fill dialog box, click the Border tab.
5 Choose Column between from the Available border styles list.
If you want to apply the vertical line to only to a selected column group, enable the Apply border to current column group only check box.
Notes
If you disable the Apply border to current column group only check box, the vertical line separates all columns on the active page and all subsequent pages in the document.
You can change the color, line style, or drop shadow of the line between the columns. For more information about applying color, line style, or a drop shadow, see "Applying borders and fills."
Inserting and editing delay codes
You can insert and edit delay codes. Delay codes allow you to suppress open codes by specifying that the open codes take effect after a specified number of pages. Open codes can include codes for line numbering, fonts, tab settings, and margins. For example, if on page 3 you delay a code by two pages, the code takes effect on page 5.
You can delay any open codes; however, you cannot delay paired codes. Paired codes are codes that have two codes-one at the start of the entry and one at the end of the entry. For example, bold, italics, tables, indent, and alignment codes are paired codes.
To insert a delay code
1 Click the page where you want to delay codes.
2 Click Format Page Delay codes.
3 In the Number of pages to skip before applying codes box, type the number of pages for which you want to delay codes.
4 Click OK.
5 Choose font and formatting options from the Delay codes toolbar.
6 Click the Close button on the Delay codes toolbar.
Note
The delay code remains at the top of the document or follows a hard page break. A delay code displays as [Delay:#], where # is the number of pages the code is delayed.
To edit a delay code
1 Click View Reveal Codes.
2 Double-click a delay code.
3 Modify any delay code options.
4 Click the Close button on the Delay codes toolbar.
