Microsoft KB Archive/23014

Word: Using Side-by-Side Paragraph Formatting

PSS ID Number: Q23014 Article last modified on 03-07-1997

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The Side-by-Side paragraph feature in Microsoft Word versions 3.x is used to create multiple columns of uneven widths and length, place text beside graphics, or overlay text and graphics.

Word version 4.00 still has Side-by-Side formatting (available through the Commands command); however, if you have this version, you should consider using a table instead. Word 4.00’s new table feature can set up the same format of columns much more easily.

Word determines whether a paragraph, formatted as Side-by-Side, is placed beside or beneath other Side-by-Side paragraphs as follows:


 * 1) If the left-indent triangle on a paragraph’s ruler is in the same location as or to the right of the left indent for other Side-by-Side paragraphs, the paragraph will appear below the other paragraphs.
 * 2) If the position of the left-indent triangle is different from the other paragraphs, the paragraph will be beside the others.

A common problem is encountered when the left-indent mark for one paragraph, which is meant to be beneath another, is moved slightly and the paragraph overwrites the other paragraph. If paragraphs are meant to follow one another, their left indent marks must be exactly the same.

The procedure for creating Side-by-Side paragraphs in Word 3.0x is as follows (for Word 4.00, the Side-by-Side command is located in the Command dialog box on the Edit menu):


 * 1) Highlight the paragraph(s) that are to appear on the left side.
 * 2) Move the right-indent triangle on the ruler to the desired right indent position (for example, 2 inches).
 * 3) From the Format menu, choose Paragraph.
 * 4) Check the Side-by-Side box. Click OK.
 * 5) Highlight the paragraph(s) that are to appear on the right side.
 * 6) Move the left-indent triangle on the ruler to a setting that is greater than the value set in step 2 (for example, 2.5 inches).
 * 7) From the Format menu, choose Paragraph.
 * 8) Check the Side-By-Side box. Click OK.

This will place the paragraphs into two columns: One from 0 to 2 inches (in our example), and one from 2.5 to 6.5 inches. Paragraphs can be placed in any number of columns with this method by adjusting the rulers for the various paragraphs to the appropriate positions.

If columns are set up so that the indent triangles for the left column are set to 0 and 4 inches, and the indents for the right column are set to 2 and 6.5 inches, the two columns will overlap.

KBCategory: kbother KBSubCategory: kbtable Additional reference words: macword macword5 ====================================================================== ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1997.