Description: This request is that LibreOffice be able to create two independent parallel columns that will flow from page to page. This is different from 'newspaper columns' that flow from the left column into the right column. It is also different from setting up a 2-column table. Parallel columns would be useful if: 1) you were creating a text that has the main text in the left hand column and commentary notes in the right hand column, 2) you wish to translate a multipage text, with original language and translation side-by-side. Wordperfect has this functionality. The command is Format>Columns>Parallel. See the WP X8 Handbook, p.80-81, at https://www.wordperfect.com/static/wpo/product_content/wordperfect/x8/wpox8-user-guide-en.pdf Steps to Reproduce: 1. n/a 2. n/a 3. n/a Actual Results: n/a Expected Results: n/a Reproducible: Always User Profile Reset: No Additional Info: This request was also discussed in May 2019 at Ask LibreOffice: https://ask.libreoffice.org/en/question/194392/writer-any-way-to-create-parallel-columns/
Created attachment 163354 [details] Screenshot of Wordperfect X8 Handbook pp.80-81 re creating parallel columns
Regina, is it possible with the current document format or enhancement needed?
It needs an enhancement. The wish exists in AOO bugzilla too and is very old. https://bz.apache.org/ooo/show_bug.cgi?id=17960
Let's keep it. If input from UX is needed later, we are happy to help.
(In reply to Heiko Tietze from comment #4) > Let's keep it. If input from UX is needed later, we are happy to help. Hi, I'm not sure what you mean by "Let's keep it."? I support this wish wholeheartedly; I need it regularly, and know it from my WordPerfect experience too. Is there a chance that we can expect something in the foreseeable future? regards, Jogchum
(In reply to Jogchum Reitsma from comment #5) > (In reply to Heiko Tietze from comment #4) > > Let's keep it. If input from UX is needed later, we are happy to help. > > Hi, > I'm not sure what you mean by "Let's keep it."? I support this wish > wholeheartedly; I need it regularly, and know it from my WordPerfect > experience too. Is there a chance that we can expect something in the > foreseeable future? > > regards, Jogchum I think "let's keep it" meant, keep the enhancement request, don't bin it. An observation: since I made the original request, I purchased WordPerfect specifically for this feature (creating parallel columns). Unfortunately, I found the columns became very unstable as they became longer. I discontinued use of it for that reason. LibreOffice has a chance to become superior to WordPerfect in this regard. And, since MS Word cannot create true parallel columns at all, addition of parallel columns feature to LO would also outperform MS Word.
I, too, have need for bilingual documents and would like to use the parallel column model. Framemaker makes this pretty easy - the text "frame" on the pages connect as you like, either left-to-left or if one wanted, left to right columns on left and right pages so one flow is always inside next to the binding and one flow always at the outside. You can create an arbitrary number of text flows and connect them in complicated and confusing ways to keep readers on their toes and the text just does the right thing (or at least the thing you told it to).
*** Bug 147212 has been marked as a duplicate of this bug. ***