Microsoft KB Archive/89303

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WD: Paragraph Borders Overlap with Multiple Columns

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Q89303

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Word for Windows, versions 2.0, 2.0a, 2.0a-CD, 2.0b, 2.0c, 6.0, 6.0a, 6.0c

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SUMMARY
If you create a multiple-column Microsoft Word for Windows document and apply border formatting to the left and right sides of the paragraphs, the borders may overlap between the columns. This problem occurs if the value of the Space Between Columns setting is zero (0) inches. In page layout view, the overlapping borders are not displayed. In print preview, the overlapping borders are displayed as they appear when printed.

This article describes a method for adding a left border to the left-most column, a right border to the right-most column, and a single line between each column on a page.

MORE INFORMATION
The following method is a modification of the instructions for creating a page border on page 367 of the &quot;Microsoft Word for Windows User's Guide.&quot; This method allows you to edit your document without affecting the placement of borders.

Workaround for Word 6.0

 * 1) From the Format menu, choose Columns. Select the Number Of Columns and enter a number in the Space Between box like .25. Select the Line between checkbox, then choose the OK button.
 * 2) From the File menu, choose Page Setup. Choose the Margins dialog tab. Type a minus sign before the measurement in the Top box.

Note: If your document already contains a header, type a minus sign before the measurement in the Bottom box, rather than the Top box.
 * 1) In the Header box under From Edge, type the same measurement as the top margin. (For example, if the top margin is 1 inch, the Header From Edge setting should be 1 inch as well).

Note: If your document already contains a header, set the Footer measurement under From Edge equal to the bottom margin. Choose the OK button.
 * 1) From the View menu, select Header and Footer (switch to Footer if the document already contains a header), and choose the OK button. Select the paragraph mark in the header pane. From the Format menu, choose Paragraph. In the Line Spacing box, select Exactly. In the At box, type the distance between the top and bottom margins. To calculate the At value, subtract the top and bottom margin from the vertical page height. (For example, if you have an 8.5-inch-by-11-inch page in portrait view with 1-inch top and bottom margins, type 9&quot; in the At box). Choose the OK button.
 * 2) From the Format menu, choose Borders and Shading. In the Border box, select the left and right sides of the sample paragraph. In the Line box, select a border style, and choose the OK button.

Workaround for Word 2.0

 * 1) From the Format menu, choose Columns. Select a value in the Number Of Columns and the Space Between boxes. Select the Line Between check box, then choose the OK button.
 * 2) From the Format menu, choose Page Setup. Select the Margins option button, type a minus sign before the measurement in the Top box, and choose the OK button.

Note: If your document already contains a header, type a minus sign before the measurement in the Bottom box, rather than the Top box.
 * 1) From the View menu, choose Normal. From the View menu, choose Header/Footer. In the Header box under From Edge, type the same measurement as the top margin. (For example, if the top margin is 1 inch, the Header From Edge setting should be 1 inch as well).

Note: If your document already contains a header, set the Footer measurement under From Edge equal to the bottom margin.
 * 1) In the Header/Footer box, select Header (select Footer if the document already contains a header), and choose the OK button. Select the paragraph mark in the header pane. From the Format menu, choose Paragraph. In the Line Spacing box, select Exactly. In the At box, type the distance between the top and bottom margins. To calculate the At value, subtract the top and bottom margin from the vertical page height. (For example, if you have an 8.5-inch-by-11-inch page in portrait view with 1-inch top and bottom margins, type 9&quot; in the At box). Choose the OK button.
 * 2) From the Format menu, choose Border. In the Border box, select the left and right sides of the sample paragraph. In the Line box, select a border style, and choose the OK button.